March Area Transport Study: Stage 1 - Cambridgeshire · 2020-05-14 · Route 1 – Broad Street, Grays Lane, ... Figure 1.1: March Area Transport Study Components .....9 Figure 2.1:

March Pedestrian, Signage and Cycling Strategy

March Area Transport Study: Stage 1

April 2020

Document Control

Job Number: CS/099121

Document ref: Authorisation

Rev Purpose Originated Checked Reviewed Capita Date Skanska Date

1.0 Draft Report AC/EL EL TD TD 28-01-2020 RJ

2.0 Final Report TM/EL EL 06-04-2020

3.0 Final Report Amendment EL EL 12-05-2020

Table of Contents

Executive Summary .................................................................................................................... 1

Walking and Cycling Audits ................................................................................................................................................... 1

Safe Routes to School Audits ................................................................................................................................................ 7

Pedestrian and Cycling Signage Audit ................................................................................................................................... 8

1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 9

2. Walking and Cycling Audit ................................................................................................ 12

2.1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 12

2.2. Route 1 – Broad Street, Grays Lane, Nene Parade ............................................................................................... 15

2.3. Route 2 – High Street, The Causeway and The Avenue (B1101) .......................................................................... 26

2.4. Route 3 – Station Road (B1101) ........................................................................................................................... 36

2.5. Route 4 – St Peter’s Road, Upwell Road (B1099), Elwyn Road & Eastwood Avenue ............................................ 46

2.6. Route 5 – Burrowmoor Road, Gaul Road ............................................................................................................. 59

2.7. Route 6 – Dartford Road, Wisbech Road (B1099) ................................................................................................ 68

2.8. Summary of Walking and Cycling Audit Recommendations ................................................................................. 79

3. Safe Routes to School ....................................................................................................... 82

3.1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 82

3.2. Neale-Wade Academy .......................................................................................................................................... 84

3.3. Burrowmoor Primary School ................................................................................................................................ 91

3.4. Cavalry Primary School ......................................................................................................................................... 94

3.5. Westwood Primary School & Maple Grove Community Pre-School .................................................................... 97

3.6. All Saints Inter-Church Primary School ............................................................................................................... 100

3.7. Cost Estimates for Implementing Key Recommendations.................................................................................. 103

4. Pedestrian and Cycling Signage Audit ............................................................................ 106

4.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 106

4.2. Key Observations ................................................................................................................................................ 108

4.3. Cycling Signage ................................................................................................................................................... 112

4.4. Signage for March Train Station ......................................................................................................................... 117

4.5. Town Maps ......................................................................................................................................................... 119

4.6. Footpaths and Public Rights of Way ................................................................................................................... 120

4.7. Signage Issues ..................................................................................................................................................... 122

4.8. Signage Recommendations ................................................................................................................................ 124

4.9. Signage Recommendation Location Maps ......................................................................................................... 127

4.10. Summary of Signage Audit Recommendations and Implementation Costs ....................................................... 133

Appendices ............................................................................................................................. 134

Appendix A: Broad Street / Dartford Road (B1099) and Station Road (B1011) / Creek Road Junction Improvement

Proposals ........................................................................................................................................................................... 134

Appendix B: Design Proposals for High Street (B1101), St. Peter’s Road Junction ........................................................... 136

Appendix C: St. Peter’s Road Zebra Crossing Design Proposal .......................................................................................... 137

Appendix D: Neale-Wade Academy Travel Plan................................................................................................................ 139

Appendix E: Sign Improvement Recommendations .......................................................................................................... 144

Appendix F: March Station Signage Review – CCC Report ................................................................................................ 153

Appendix G: Pedestrian / Cycling Signage Design Proposals ............................................................................................ 163

Appendix H: Pedestrian / Cyclist Monoliths Location Proposals for March ...................................................................... 165

Appendix I: Location of Key Destinations in March .......................................................................................................... 166

Appendix J: Sustrans Preferred NCN 63 Route Alignment Through March Town Centre ................................................. 168

Appendix K: Pricing Schedule for Proposal Cost Estimates ............................................................................................... 170

Tables

Table 2.1: Route 1 Recommendations and Costs .................................................................... 24






Table 2.7: Summary of Key Recommendations for Each Audited Corridor ............................ 80

Table 3.1: Survey, Modal Shift and Targets ............................................................................. 89

Table 3.2: High Level Cost Estimates for Safe Routes to School Recommendations ............ 103

Table 4.1: Summary of Key Recommendations for Each Audited Corridor .......................... 133

Figures

Figure 1.1: March Area Transport Study Components .............................................................. 9

Figure 2.1: Six Key Routes in March ......................................................................................... 13

Figure 2.2: Map of Land Use and Bus Stops Broad Street, Grays Lane and Nene Parade ...... 17

Figure 2.3: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations Broad Street, Grays

Lane and Nene Parade ............................................................................................................. 20

Figure 2.4: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in Broad Street, Grays Lane and Nene

Parade ...................................................................................................................................... 23

Figure 2.5: Map of Land Use and Bus Stops for the High Street, The Causeway and The Avenue

.................................................................................................................................................. 27

Figure 2.6: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations on the High Street,

The Causeway and The Avenue ............................................................................................... 30

Figure 2.7: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in High Street, The Causeway and The

Avenue ..................................................................................................................................... 33

Figure 2.8: Carriageway Space on the High Street (B1101) For A Pedestrian Crossing Island

Refuge ...................................................................................................................................... 35

Figure 2.9: Map of Land Use and Bus Stops Station Road ....................................................... 38

Figure 2.10: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations Station Road ....... 40

Figure 2.11: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in Station Road, B1101 ................ 42

Figure 2.12: Map of Land Use and Bus Stops in Elwyn Road, St. Peter’s Road, Upwell Road and

Eastwood Avenue .................................................................................................................... 48

Figure 2.13: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations Elwyn Road ......... 50

Figure 2.14: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations Eastwood Avenue

and March Sconce .................................................................................................................... 50

Figure 2.15: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations St. Peter’s Road and

Upwell Road ............................................................................................................................. 51

Figure 2.16: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in Elwyn Avenue .......................... 54

Figure 2.17: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in St. Peter’s Road and Upwell Road

.................................................................................................................................................. 55

Figure 2.18: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in Eastwood Avenue and March

Sconce ...................................................................................................................................... 56

Figure 2.19: Map of Land Use and Bus Stops in Burrowmoor Road, Gaul Road and Ellingham

Avenue ..................................................................................................................................... 61

Figure 2.20: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations Burrowmoor Road,

Gaul Road and Ellingham Avenue ............................................................................................ 63

Figure 2.21: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in Burrowmoor Road, Gaul Road and

Ellingham Avenue .................................................................................................................... 65

Figure 2.22: Wisbech Road Location........................................................................................ 70

Figure 2.23: Dartford Road Location ....................................................................................... 71

Figure 2.24: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations Wisbech Road .... 73

Figure 2.25: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations Dartford Road .... 73

Figure 2.26: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in Wisbech Road .......................... 75

Figure 2.27: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in Dartford Road and Wisbech Road

.................................................................................................................................................. 76

Figure 3.1: Location of Schools in March ................................................................................. 83

Figure 3.2: Location of Neale-Wade Academy ........................................................................ 84

Figure 3.3: Walking Times / Distance for Neale-Wade Academy ............................................ 86

Figure 3.4: Cycling Times / Distance for Neale-Wade Academy.............................................. 87

Figure 3.5: Location of Proposed Pedestrian Crossing ............................................................ 88

Figure 3.6: Location of Burrowmoor Primary School .............................................................. 91

Figure 3.7: Walking Times / Distance for Burrowmoor Primary School .................................. 92

Figure 3.8: Location of Cavalry Primary School ....................................................................... 94

Figure 3.9: Walking Times / Distance for Cavalry Primary School ........................................... 95

Figure 3.10: Location of Westwood Primary School and Maple Grove Pre-School ................ 97

Figure 3.11: Walking Times / Distance for Westwood Primary School ................................... 98

Figure 3.12: Location of All Saints Primary School ................................................................ 100

Figure 3.13: Walking Times / Distance for All Saints Primary School .................................... 101

Figure 4.1: Example of Poor Pedestrian Signage in March .................................................... 108

Figure 4.2: Location of Current Walking Signage in March ................................................... 109

Figure 4.3: High Street Pedestrian Signage............................................................................ 110

Figure 4.4: Shared Footway Signage in West End Park ......................................................... 110

Figure 4.5: Pedestrian and Cycling Signage ........................................................................... 111

Figure 4.6: Example of Inconsistent NCN 63 Signage ............................................................ 112

Figure 4.7: Example of Poorly Maintained Local and Cycling Signage in March ................... 113

Figure 4.8: Location of Existing Cycling Signage in March (Including Route of NCN 63) ....... 114

Figure 4.9: Misplaced NCN 63 Signage Stickers ..................................................................... 115

Figure 4.10: The Route of NCN 63 Through March ............................................................... 116

Figure 4.11: Proposed Pedestrian Signage for Route to March Train Station ....................... 117

Figure 4.12: Identification of Required Location for Pedestrian Signage to March Station Off

Hostmoor Avenue (Source: CCC / FDC) ................................................................................. 118

Figure 4.13: Main Information Boards, March Train Station (North) and Broad Street, Adjacent

to Town Bridge Seating Area ................................................................................................. 119

Figure 4.14: Main Information Boards, at March Train Station (Left Photo) and Broad Street

(Right Photo) .......................................................................................................................... 120

Figure 4.15: Routes for the Woodman’s Way, Hereward Way and The Greenwich Meridian

Trail ........................................................................................................................................ 121

Figure 4.16: Public Footpath Signage with Improvement References .................................. 122

Figure 4.17: Poorly Maintained and Inaccurate Pedestrian Signage in March Town Centre 124

Figure 4.18: Signage Design Proposal with Journey Time and Distance ............................... 124

Figure 4.19: Examples of Pedestrian Monoliths (Source Design JD/FitxpatrichWoolmer) ... 127

Figure 4.20: Signage Improvements North March ................................................................ 128

Figure 4.21: Signage Improvements March Railway Station ................................................. 129

Figure 4.22: Signage Improvements Central March .............................................................. 130

Figure 4.23: Signage Improvements Southern March ........................................................... 131

Figure 4.24: Location of Existing Cycling Signage in March with Recommendations ID

(Including Route of NCN 63) .................................................................................................. 132

1

Executive Summary

This Pedestrian and Cycling Strategy has been commissioned by Cambridgeshire County

Council, as part of the March Area Transport Study Quick Wins proposals, to identify

improvements for pedestrian and cycling provision across March.

The Strategy consists of three packages of work:

• Walking and cycling audits, providing improvement proposals for pedestrian and

cycling provision on six key route corridors in March:

o Broad Street, Grays Lane, Nene Parade

o High Street, The Causeway, The Avenue (B1101)

o Station Road (B1101)

o Elwyn Road, St Peter’s Road/Upwell Road (B1099), Eastwood Av, March

Sconce

o Burrowmoor Road and Gaul Road

o Wisbech Road / Dartford Road (B1099)

• Safe routes to school audits, identifying recommendations for all five March schools:

o Neale-Wade Academy

o Burrowmoor Road Primary

o All Saints Inter Church Primary

o Westwood Primary and Maple Grove Community Pre-School

o Cavalry Primary

• Pedestrian and cycling signage audit and improvement proposal, connecting key

routes and destinations in March, with a schedule of signage location

recommendations and signage design options, including distance and journey time

illustrations.

Walking and Cycling Audits

Recommendations to improve pedestrian crossing facilities, footways condition, cycling

infrastructure, wayfinding signage provision and bus stop improvements were identified in

each of the six audited route corridors. The key recommendations for each route corridor are

summarised below.

2

Broad Street, Grays Lane, Nene Parade

Footway improvements:

• Replace uneven paving and refurbish guard railing on the corner of Broad Street and

Dartford Road.

• Improve footway condition and width on corners of Dartford Road and Grays Lane,

and the corner with Darthill Road.

Pedestrian Crossing Improvements:

• Across Broad Street from Fenland Walk.

• Across Robingoodfellow’s Lane at junction with Station Road and Broad Street.

Cycling Facilities

• Install more conveniently located and secure cycle parking provision on both sides of

Broad Street.

Wayfinding Signage

• Improve pedestrian and cycling signage, with journey time and distance to key

destinations from Broad Street.

• Remove inaccurate NCN 63 sticker signage from street furniture in Broad Street.

Bus Stops

• Improve appearance of the northbound bus stop on Broad Street, with the provision

of up to date bus service route maps and timetables.

• Improve enforcement of illegal parking at both bus stops laybys on Broad Street.

The total cost estimate for implementing the above recommendations is approximately

£100,000.

3

High Street, The Causeway, The Avenue (B1011)


• Install a footway on section of High Street across entrance to Chapel Street shared

footpath.


• Provide crossing facilities between High Street and Market Place, south of Acre Road

entrance. Also on High Street, south of Market Place, and south of Burrowmoor Road

junction.

• Improve crossing facilities across Market Place and Elwyn Road.

Cycling Facilities

• Review cycle parking provision in Market Place and High Street to ensure provision

where needed.

Wayfinding Signage

• Update existing inaccurate destination signage with new wayfinding signage network

Bus Stops

• Review bus stop provision on the High Street, southbound. Either provide an

additional bus stop or relocate existing southbound bus stop closer to town centre

commercial area.


£111,000.

4

Station Road (B1011)


• Widen footway through level crossing on Station Road.

• Resurface pavements, replace tactile paving/ dropped kerbs at junctions of several

side roads off Station Road.


• Station Road/Creek Road

• Station Approach entrance

• Provide pedestrian island refuge facilities at appropriate locations on Station Road.

Cycling Facilities

• Install secure cycle storage facilities at March railway station for passengers.

• Provide shared use footway or on road cycle lanes along Station Road.

• Sign post for quieter route to town centre via Nene Parade and a more direct route to

Neale Academy and south east march via St. John’s Road and Wigstone’s Road.

Wayfinding Signage

• Install signage for routes between March Railway Station, the town centre and other

key destinations, including Neale-Wade Academy.

Bus Stops

• Relocate northbound Station Road bus stop to close to station entrance and provide

a bus stop for southbound 56 bus services.


£228,000.

5

Elwyn Road, St Peter’s Road/Upwell Road (B1099), Eastwood Avenue


• Install footway on south side of Deerfield Road at the junction with Elwyn Road.

• Improve the condition of the footpath on Eastwood Avenue.


• Elwyn Road/ Badgeney Road junction.

• Support CCC’s proposals for pedestrian crossing improvements at St. Peter’s

Road/Elwyn Road/Eastwood Avenue junction and Upwell Road/ Cavalry Drive

junction.

• Examine the need for controlled crossing facilities on Cavalry Drive, by back entrance

to Neale-Wade Academy.

Wayfinding Signage

• Provide distance and journey time signage to Neale-Wade Academy, the town centre,

and March Railway Station


£165,000.

Burrowmoor Road, Gaul Road


• Create a green shared use route from Gaul Park through to West End Park via Gaul

Road and Oxbow Crescent.

• Pedestrian Crossing Improvements outside Burrowmoor Road Primary School.

• Install central island refuge crossing facilities at appropriate locations to serve as

access to green corridor via Gaul Park, Oxbow Crescent and The Chase Path.

6

Wayfinding Signage

• Sign off-road/green links from West March through to the parks and town centre.

Bus Stops

• Review provision for bus stops and service timetable provision for bus route 33.


£65,000.

Dartford Road / Wisbech Road (B1099)


• Wisbech Road/ Norwood Road junction, at Wisbech Road/ Peas Hill roundabout and

Dartford Road (adjacent to Lidl).

• Install dropped kerbs and tactile paving at side road crossings on B1099 corridor.

Cycling Facilities

• Incorporate cycling infrastructure along the B1099, such as cycle lanes either on-

carriageway, or through a shared footways.

Wayfinding Signage

• Improve the provision of pedestrian and cycle route signage for both the NCN 63

routing and local cycle routes

Bus Stops

• Review and upgrade bus stop provision and accessibility along the Dartford Road and

Wisbech Road corridor.


£100,000.

7

Safe Routes to School Audits

The key safe routes to school recommendations which apply to all five schools in March are:

• Introduce 20mph speed limits around all five schools (during term time drop off / pick

up) with interactive warning signage (as in place around Westwood Primary).

• Relining of no parking restrictions road markings outside each school.

Specific recommendations for each school are as follows.

Neale Wade Academy

• Examine the need for a controlled crossing facility across Cavalry Drive, by back

entrance to school.

• Support CCC’s proposals to install zebra crossing across St. Peter’s Road (B1099) at

junction with Eastwood Avenue / Elwyn Road.

Westwood Primary and Maple Grove Community Pre-School

• Enforce existing parking restrictions on Maple Road and Henson Road as parents

parking illegally at pick up.

• Repair faulty 20 mph speed limit warning signage on Maple Road and Henson Road.

• Refresh school travel plan.

All Saints Inter Church Academy

• Repair the Belisha beacons on zebra crossing in All Saints Close.

• Turn around incorrectly facing ‘Give Way’ sign at exit of All Saints Close.

• Examine the need for a controlled pedestrian crossing facility across County Road.

Cavalry Primary

• Provide pedestrian crossing facilities on Cavalry Drive outside school.

• Introduce traffic calming measures at roundabout junction of Upwell Road and Cavalry

Drive.

• Produce school travel plan.

8

Burrowmoor Primary

• Provide pedestrian crossing facilities on Burrowmoor Road outside school.

• Produce school travel plan.

The high level cost estimate total for delivering safe routes to school recommendations for

the five schools in March is £112,088. This figure excludes costs for installing 20 mph speed

restriction measures around each school as further site investigation will be required. Parking

enforcement and school travel plan production costs are also excluded.

Pedestrian and Cycling Signage Audit

The key recommendations from the pedestrian and cycling signage audit of March are

summarised as follows:

• Provide destination signage showing average walking / cycling journey time (in

minutes) and distance (in km) for all destination signage.

• Provide consistent and linked signage for shared pedestrian and cycling routes to key

destinations, including routes between the railway station, the town centre, Neale

Wade Academy, and NCN 63

• Remove and replace out of date and damaged destination signage. Maintain existing

signage, keep clean and in correct position.

• Remove inaccurate NCN 63 signage

• Replace tired and outdated information map display board in Broad Street and provide

a new one at March Railway Station.

The high level cost estimate for delivering these pedestrian and cycling signage

recommendations is approximately £75,000.

9

1. Introduction

1.1.1. In January 2018, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CA),

through Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) and Fenland District Council (FDC),

agreed a brief for the March Area Transport Study (MATS). In March 2018 Skanska /

Capita issued a Stage 0 Inception Report that explained in detail the work needed to

undertake the Stage 1 MATS.

1.1.2. Skanska / Capita were commissioned to proceed with the Stage 1 MATS, of which

part of the study involved producing a Sustainable Travel Report, providing an audit

of existing walking, cycling and public transport provision in March. In October 2019,

following the completion of the Sustainable Transport Report (November 2018), CCC

/ FDC commissioned this Pedestrian and Cycling Strategy Report as part of a Quick

Wins proposal, to identify improvements for pedestrian and cycling provision across

March. The commissioning of the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategy was agreed by

Members as part of a package of Quick Win proposals identified from the Quick Wins

Workshop held in July 2018. Figure 1.1 shows how the component parts of the MATS

fits together.

Figure 1.1: March Area Transport Study Components

10

1.1.3. This Strategy develops the recommendations identified in the MATS Sustainable

Travel Report and contains a delivery plan of improvements for walking and cycling

infrastructure, provision of a signage wayfinding proposal and safe routes to school

recommendations for the five schools in March.

1.1.4. The Strategy consist of three packages of work, as follows:

• Walking and cycling audits, providing improvement proposals for pedestrian and

cycling provision on six key route corridors in March:

o Broad Street, Grays Lane, Nene Parade

o High Street, The Avenue (B1101)

o Station Road

o Elwyn Road, St Peter’s Road/Upwell Road, Eastwood Av, March Sconce

o Burrowmoor Road and Gaul Road

o Wisbech Road / Dartford Road (B1099)

• Pedestrian and cycling signage audit and improvement proposal, connecting key

routes and destinations in March with a schedule of signage location

recommendations and signage design options, including distance and journey time

illustrations.

• Safe routes to school audits, identifying recommendations for all five March schools:

o Neale-Wade Academy

o Burrowmoor Road Primary

o All Saints Inter Church Primary

o Westwood Primary

o Cavalry Primary

1.1.5. This report is structured as follows:

• Chapter 2 details the Walking and Cycling Audit findings and recommendations for the

six key route corridors.

• Chapter 3 details the safe routes to school observations and recommendations for

each of the five schools in March.

11

• Chapter 4 documents the pedestrian and cycling signage improvement

recommendations.

• Appendix A illustrates the roundabout design option for the Broad Street/Dartford

Road/Station Road junction and the Broad Street public realm proposal.

• Appendix B illustrates the design proposal for High Street (B1101), St. Peter’s Road

junction.

• Appendix C illustrates the St. Peter’s Road Zebra Crossing design proposal.

• Appendix D provides a summary of Neale Wade Academy’s School Travel Plan.

• Appendix E provides details of the signage audit improvement recommendations and

corresponding map location references.

• Appendix F contains the March Station Signage Review Report by CCC.

• Appendix G illustrates examples of pedestrian and cycling signage design proposals.

• Appendix H shows the possible locations for pedestrian monoliths across March.

• Appendix I identifies key destination locations for signage routing in March.

• Appendix J illustrates Sustrans preferred route alignment for cycle route NCN 63

through March town centre.

• Appendix K provides a pricing schedule for proposal cost estimates.

12

2. Walking and Cycling Audit

2.1. Introduction

2.1.1. On street audits of existing walking and cycling provision along six key route corridors

across March were undertaken to identify where improvements can be made to

facilitate pedestrian and cyclist movement and promote sustainable travel options.

Site audits were undertaken on foot between October and December 2019.

2.1.2. The six route corridors audited are shown in Figure 2.1, below. They are:

• Route 1 – Broad Street / Grays Lane (0.2 km) and Nene Parade (0.5 km)

o Broad Street is the main retail and commercial destination in March town

centre and contains the town’s only interchange for bus services. The corridor

attracts a large footfall and is dominated by through traffic. Grays Lane, which

runs parallel to Broad Street, provides a link to traffic-free routes to the west

of the town. Nene Parade runs off the southern end of Broad Street, along the

banks of the River Nene, providing traffic free routes to the east of the town.

• Route 2 – High Street, Market Place, The Causeway and The Avenue (1.5 km)

o The High Street and adjacent Market Place lead into Broad Street from the

south and are lined with commercial businesses, attracting large footfall but

are dominated by through traffic. The Causeway continues southbound and

leads into The Avenue, which passes Neale-Wade Academy at the southern

end of the town.

• Route 3 – Station Road (1 km)

o Station Road provides linear access from the town centre to March Railway

Station and the north of March.

• Route 4 – Elwyn Road (0.8 km), St Peter’s Road /Upwell Road (0.8 km) and Eastwood

Avenue (0.2 km)

o Situated east of Route 2, St Peter’s Road and Elwyn Road provide access to the

east of March from the High Street and Market Square. Elwyn Road leads to

St. Peter’s Road. Eastwood Avenue intersects the same junction from the

south and is a popular route for students accessing Neale-Wade Academy.

• Route 5 – Burrowmoor Road (1.25 km) and Gaul Road (1.2 km)

13

o Burrowmoor Road and Gaul Road cover the western residential areas of March

and provide access between the High Street and the A141 Isle of Ely Way.

• Route 6 – Wisbech Road and Dartford Road (1.6 km)

o Wisbech Road and Dartford Road provide a north western transport corridor

from the top of Broad Street to Peas Hill Roundabout for access to the A141

and Tesco’s retail park in Hostmoor Avenue.

Figure 2.1: Six Key Routes in March

14

2.1.3. The findings and recommendations from each of the six corridor audits are

documented in section 2, below, through use of illustrated maps, photos and the

analysis of the following data sources:

• Accident data for March between 2015 and 2018, provided by CCC.

• Location and type of pedestrian signalised crossings

• Bus stop locations

• Analysis from the MATS Sustainable Travel Report, 2018.

• Site audits undertaken on foot between October and December 2019

15

2.2. Route 1 – Broad Street, Grays Lane, Nene Parade

Function and Land Use

2.2.1. Broad Street is the main commercial hub and most

visited part of March town centre. Broad Street and

the adjacent Grays Lane run parallel north-south for a

length of approximately 300 metres. Broad Street is

dominated by traffic as it provides the only vehicle

access across the River Nene within the town. Broad

Street feels effectively segregated by the B1101 and

B1099 through traffic, which queues at the signalised

junctions with Dartford Road and Station Road. The northbound carriageway has a

two lane width with parking bays. The central island between the two carriageways

contains short stay parking spaces, bicycle and motorcycle parking areas, and an

uncontrolled pedestrian crossing. Land use, plus walking and cycling journey times

are illustrated in Figure 2.2, with Broad Street dominated by a combination of

national retail chains (Boots, Tesco Express, WH Smiths, Superdrug, Clarks, Greggs)

and commercial businesses (numerous banks, estate agents and travel agents).

There are several vacant premises on Broad Street which detracts from the

attractiveness of the town centre. There are no obvious residential buildings on

Broad Street, but some can be found on Nene Parade and Grays Lane.

2.2.2. Junction redesign proposals for the Broad Street, Dartford Road and Station Road

interchange are being considered as part of the wider MATS, to reduce traffic

congestion and improve the public realm in March Town Centre. These proposals are

being considered for inclusion in a Future High Street Fund bid submission in 2020.

Appendix A provides draft design illustrations of junction reconfiguration proposals

currently being considered for the Broad Street, Dartford Road, Station Road

interchange. This includes the replacement of the existing signalised interchange

with a roundabout and zebra crossings, slightly set back, on each of the three arms

of the roundabout, single carriageway provision in both directions along Broad Street

and the creating of a new public realm area along Broad Street.

16

Public Transport

2.2.3. Broad Street contains the only interchange bus stops in March (one northbound and

one southbound) for changing bus services. Bus routes 33, 39, 46 and 56 all serve

the centre of March via the two bus stops in Broad Street. Both bus stops have a

layby, are provided with real time bus service display boards, a shelter and seating.

Bus routes 33 and 56 serve the railway station and route 33 serves the Tesco retail

park in Hostmoor Avenue.

2.2.4. The frequency of bus services through Broad Street is as follows.

• 33 – Peterborough – Whittlesey – March. 1 per hour Monday to Saturday. Only 1

service on a Sunday.

• 39 – Ely – Chatteris – March. 6 per day weekdays, 6 on Saturday. 0 services on a Sunday

• 46 – King’s Lynn - Wisbech St Mary – March. 1 per hour Monday to Saturday. 0 services

on a Sunday.

• 56 – Wisbech - March – Manea/Benwick. 1 per hour Monday to Saturday. 0 services

on a Sunday.

2.2.5. Dial-A-Ride mini bus services are also permitted to use the Broad Street bus stops.

17

Figure 2.2: Map of Land Use and Bus Stops Broad Street, Grays Lane and Nene Parade

18

Pedestrian Crossing Facilities

2.2.6. Figure 2.3 shows the location and type of pedestrian crossing in the Broad Street

corridor.

2.2.7. Broad Street has five main signalised pedestrian crossings, which consist of one

standalone signalised crossing just north of the bridge and four located with the

junction of Broad Street, Station Road and Dartford Road which incorporates traffic

and pedestrian stages. There is a well-used, uncontrolled pedestrian crossing with

dropped kerbs and tactile paving across the middle of Broad Street, linking with

Fenland Walk and the Sainsbury’s car park.

2.2.8. In this area there are a large proportion of pedestrians crossing at their preferred

desire line and not using controlled crossings. This behaviour is reflected in the high

concentration of accidents (see paragraph 2.2.11 below).

2.2.9. To the north of Grays Lane there is an unsafe, uncontrolled pedestrian crossing.

There are insufficient dropped kerbs and tactile paving at both sides and the

footpath itself is very narrow.

Cycling Infrastructure

2.2.10. There are fourteen covered cycle stands in the central island of Broad Street.

19

Accidents Involving Pedestrians

2.2.11. Between 2014 and 2018, fourteen accidents were recorded in this area, as illustrated

in Figure 2.3. Four were serious and ten categorised as slight. There were no fatal

accidents in the central areas of March during this time period. It is evident there is

a concentration of accidents in the middle section of Broad Street, away from the

signalised crossing facilities, which indicates some pedestrians are using their

preferred desire line to informally cross Broad Street between the traffic and central

reservation parking area, instead of walking further to use the signalised pedestrian

crossings. Accidents are concentrated to a lesser extent at the signalised junctions

between Broad Street, Dartford Road and Station Road, which highlights the dangers

of crossing at these busy junctions if not waiting to cross on the pedestrian phase at

the signals.

20

Figure 2.3: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations Broad Street, Grays Lane and Nene Parade

21

Key Issues

2.2.12. Broad Street’s sense of place as the main retail and commercial hub of the town is

dominated by through traffic and an observed high turnover of vehicles accessing

the short term parking spaces in the central island of the street. The dominance of

traffic detracts from the experience of pedestrians and cyclists.

2.2.13. Queuing traffic, especially on the two lane northbound carriageway, often results in

pedestrians and cyclists having to weave between queuing vehicles to cross at the

uncontrolled crossing in the middle of Broad Street, linking Fenland Walk to

Sainsbury’s car park, via the central island cycle parking area, as illustrated by the

photo in Figure 2.4. Vehicle movements in Broad Street currently appear to be

prioritised over pedestrian and cyclist accessibility.

2.2.14. The signal phasing of the staggered pedestrian crossing at the north end of Broad

Street means pedestrians cannot cross the road in one signal phase which holds

pedestrians up.

2.2.15. At the high footfall crossing points on the corner of Broad Street and Dartford Road,

the paving is uneven and in poor condition and is surrounded by unattractive guard

railing to prevent informal crossing.

2.2.16. The junction of Dartford Road and Grays Lane has a narrow pavement on the corner,

see photo in Figure 2.4, which is potentially dangerous to cross due to vehicles using

Grays Lane as a rat run to avoid the signalised junction and delay on Broad Street.

2.2.17. Crossing Robingoodfellow’s Lane at the interchange with Station Road, Dartford

Road and Broad Street, is a safety concern when northbound traffic is exiting Broad

Street; it is difficult to know if drivers are turning into Station Road or going straight

on to Robingoodfellow’s Lane. There footway in Robingoodfellow’s Lane, stops

beyond the exit from the Darthill Road temporary car park.

22

2.2.18. The poor condition of the northbound bus stop and surrounding street furniture

outside Barclays Bank, gives a neglected first impression of the streetscape when

entering Broad Street from the south, see photo in Figure 2.4. The tatty bus stop is

an uninviting place to wait for a bus and gives the impression of under-investment

or lack of priority given to local bus services.

2.2.19. Regular illegal parking or unloading of vehicles at both Broad Street bus stop laybys

is a regular feature. This practice blocks access for buses to pull in, creating delay to

both bus services and through traffic. The issue is particularly prevalent at the

southbound bus stop, due to the proximity of the coffee shop and Tesco Express.

2.2.20. Signage in the Broad Street area for pedestrians and cyclists is sparse and

fragmented. The cycling signage which does exist is inaccurate, with National Cycle

Network 63 signage stickers randomly placed on street furniture including a

telephone box, bus stop flag post and road sign post. This issue is covered in more

detail in the signage audit section, Chapter 4, of this report.

2.2.21. The fourteen covered cycle stands in the central island of Broad Street are well used

but not conveniently located for cyclists wishing to make a quick stop to visit the

shops or bank machines. Consequently, bicycles are parked in other locations,

including the guard railings and in the adjacent Nene Parade.

2.2.22. Cars are parking illegally on double yellow lines in Nene Parade, see photo in Figure

2.4, which causes obstruction and safety concerns. Nene Parade provides a quiet

cycle and pedestrian route linking residential areas in the east of March to the town

centre.

23

Figure 2.4: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in Broad Street, Grays Lane and Nene Parade

24

Recommendations and Costs

2.2.23. The recommendations and implementation cost estimates identified for Broad

Street, Grays Lane and Nene Parade are summarised in Table 2.1, below.

Table 2.1: Route 1 Recommendations and Costs

Recommendation Cost (£)

Footways

Replace uneven paving slabs and refurbish guard railing on the corner of Broad Street and Dartford Road.

1,584

Refurbish guard railing on the corner of Broad Street and Dartford Road. 1,710

Install footway along Robingoodfellow’s Lane. 37,980

Improve footway condition and width on corners of Dartford Road and Grays Lane, and the corner of Dartford Road and Darthill Road.

2,644

Crossing Facilities

Improve pedestrian crossing facilities across Broad Street from Fenland Walk, with installation of raised table with keep clear road markings.1

20,000

Improve safety awareness for pedestrians crossing Robingoodfellow’s Lane at interchange with Station Road and Broad Street. Insert ‘Look Right’ and ‘Look Left’ reminder carriageway markings for pedestrians crossing Robingoodfellow’s Lane at this junction.

90

Cycling Facilities

Review cycle parking provision in Broad Street to provide more convenient and secure Sheffield stand provision on both sides of the street.

6150

Install lighting and CCTV security coverage for existing cycle parking stands.

13,342

1 If the FHSF proposals for reconfiguring the public realm layout on Broad Street are progressed, this proposal will be superseded by those designs.

25

Wayfinding

Improve pedestrian and cycling signage, with journey time and distance to key destinations from Broad Street.

Further details provided in Signage Audit Recommendations in Chapter 4.

6764

Remove inaccurate NCN 63 sticker signage from street furniture in Broad Street.

60

Bus Stops

Improve appearance of the northbound bus stop on Broad Street. Replace shelter with lighting, route map, timetables, new bus stop flag/ post. Reuse existing Real Time Passenger Information provision.

7,322

Removal of existing bus shelter 625

Improve enforcement of illegal parking at both bus stops on Broad Street. -

Parking

Re-line all road markings in Broad Street, Grays Lane and Nene Parade, including bus stop laybys, yellow lines and parking bays.

2000

Review and formalise provision of parking in Broad Street and Nene Parade and consider removal of central island parking spaces as part of a reconfigured road layout for Broad Street, incorporating wider pedestrianised areas. Will be included as part of FHSF bid proposals

-

Total Cost for All Improvements £100,271

2.2.24. The total cost estimate for all recommendations listed in Table 2.1 amounts to a total

of £100,271. Each individual recommendation is costed separately and this figure is

provided as an estimate guide price, based on costings provided in Appendix K.

Detailed design proposals will be required to obtain an accurate cost for

implementing each recommendations.

2.2.25. Proposal cost assumptions and pricing estimates in Table 2.1 are summarised in

Appendix K.

2.2.26. If the FHSF bid proposal for public realm improvements along Broad Street are

successfully progressed, several of the costed recommendations proposed in Table

2.1 can be incorporated into the scheme designs and delivered as part of the FHSF

package of measures.

26

2.3. Route 2 – High Street, The Causeway and The Avenue (B1101)


2.3.1. The B1101 High Street and adjacent Market

Place are key routes within March town

centre, attracting a large footfall and high

volumes of through traffic, especially during

the AM and PM peaks. The B1101, High Street

is the only access to the town centre from the

south. A small market is held on Wednesdays

and Saturdays on the car park at Market

Place.

2.3.2. The High Street extends approximately 600 metres from the Town Bridge at Broad

Street, through to the signalised junction with St Peter’s Road and is lined with

commercial businesses, the March and District Museum, and provides access to

large car parks in City Road, and to West End Park. The B1101 continues south, past

Neale-Wade Academy and residential areas, as The Causeway and The Avenue. Land

use, plus walking and cycling journey times are illustrated in Figure 2.5

Public Transport

2.3.3. The High Street has two bus stops northbound and two southbound, although the

first of the south bound stops is approximately 800 metres down the High Street

from the town centre. Further bus stops are provided close to the convenience store

in The Causeway and just south of the signalised pedestrian crossing near Neale-

Wade Academy. The same four bus routes service the High Street and Broad Street.

Bus stop locations are shown on Figure 2.5, below.

27

Figure 2.5: Map of Land Use and Bus Stops for the High Street, The Causeway and The Avenue

28


2.3.4. Pedestrian crossing locations on the corridor are shown in Figures 2.6. Signalised

pedestrian crossing facilities are provided across the High Street (outside the Ye Olde

Griffin Hotel), to the south of the junction with Market Place.

2.3.5. To cross safely from the west side of the High Street into the Market Place car park,

requires crossing both High Street and Market Place, or Elwyn Road. As a result,

many pedestrian prefer to cross the High Street informally as it is more direct. There

is a dropped kerb on the Market Place side of the High Street but none opposite.

2.3.6. There is an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing at the Elwyn Road junction with the

High Street and at the Market Place junction with the High Street. There is a

signalised pedestrian crossing on the High Street, just to the south of the junction

with Market Place. There is also a zebra crossing further south on the High Street,

outside the March Museum.

2.3.7. South of the Burrowmoor Road mini roundabout, there is a lack of pedestrian

crossing infrastructure, such as central crossing refuges, until reaching the signalised

pedestrian crossings in the vicinity of the St. Peter’s Road junction.

2.3.8. There are plans to update signal timings and change the layout to include a

northbound right turn lane at the junction of High Street and St Peter’s Road. The

plans for this can be seen in Appendix B, although the pedestrian crossing provision

remains unchanged.

2.3.9. There are two signalised pedestrian crossings situated along the entire length of The

Causeway and The Avenue. The most northernly crossing located on The Causeway

is outside the residential care home and the second is to the south of Neale-Wade

Academy. There is approximately 550 m (5 minutes walk) between these two

crossing facilities.

2.3.10. Neale-Wade Academy entrance has satisfactory dropped kerbs and tactile paving.

Access improvements to Neale-Wade Academy are discussed in detail in the Safe

Routes to School section, (Chapter 3) of this report.

29


2.3.11. Four cycle parking stands are provided in the corner of Market Place and nine stands

are located on the High Street in the public realm space adjacent to Iceland

supermarket.

Accidents Involving Pedestrian

2.3.12. Between 2014 and 2018, one serious and twenty-five slight accidents have occurred

along the High Street, The Causeway and The Avenue B1101 corridor, as illustrated

in Figures 2.6. There is evidence of a cluster of slight injury accidents at the High

Street junction with Market Place.

30

Figure 2.6: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations on the High Street, The Causeway and The Avenue

31

Key Issues

2.3.13. The existing provision of pedestrian crossing facilities on the High Street and Market

Place does not appear to serve the informal crossing desire lines for pedestrians, as

indicated by the cluster of slight injury accidents at the High Street, Market Place

junction. There is insufficient pedestrian crossing provision or dropped kerbs in the

southern section of the High Street, which is particularly challenging for the large

number of mobility scooter users in March.

2.3.14. The pedestrian desire line for crossing the High Street junction with Burrowmoor

Road and City Road should also be reviewed. Although there are no recorded

accidents at this location between 2014 and 2018, this informal crossing desire line

is a potential safety hazard, as shown by the photo in Figure 2.7.

2.3.15. A section of the High Street at the entrance to Chapel Street lacks any footway, as

shown by the photo in Figure 2.7. This creates a potential safety issue for

pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooter users, especially when exiting Chapel

Street straight onto the High Street carriageway. It is also next to a vehicle entrance

to a busy hotel and conference centre.

2.3.16. Two existing pedestrian signage posts with a cluster of destinations are provided in

the High Street, adjacent to Iceland supermarket, see photo in Figure 2.7, and at the

Market Square. However, some of this destination signage is out of date, such as

‘Locality Team’, whilst several of the signs are pointing in the wrong direction.

2.3.17. There is a lack of pedestrian signage elsewhere along the corridor and local cycling

signage is sparse and fragmented.

2.3.18. Bus stop provision is limited on the High Street and the existing stops lack any basic

facilities or bus service timetable information.

32

2.3.19. The cycle parking stands provided in the Market Square and close to Iceland are

under-used which contrasts to the number of bicycles attached to railings on the

corner of Elwyn Road and the High Street, as shown by the photo in Figure 2.7. This

indicates that the existing cycle parking provision is insufficient and located in the

wrong locations to where it’s needed.

2.3.20. Cycling infrastructure is fragmented and on the section where it does exist, such as

the shared use footway provision, it should be clearly signed and lined to reduce user

conflict. There are instances of vehicles parking over the shared use footways,

obstructing the safe use of existing cycling provision, as illustrated by the photo in

Figure 2.7.

2.3.21. The shared use footway is also well used by numerous mobility scooter users, as

shown by the photo in Figure 2.7, which can create conflict when passing

unexpecting pedestrians.

33

Figure 2.7: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in High Street, The Causeway and The Avenue

34


2.3.22. The recommendations and implementation cost estimates identified for B1101 High

Street, The Causeway and The Avenue Corridor are summarised in Table 2.2, below.


Recommendation Cost

£

Footways

Install a footway on section of High Street across entrance to Chapel Street shared

footpath, to join up with the existing pavement on the section of High Street from

the entrance to Cromwell Hotel to the premises occupied by Leonardo’s Pizza. Install

dropped kerb access for cyclists and mobility scooters on the section across the

entrance to the Chapel Street foot and cycle path. 6011

Crossing Facilities

Improve pedestrian crossing facilities between High Street and Market Place.

Scope to install pedestrian crossing central refuge and dropped kerbs on High Street,

by Haart Estate Agent. There is carriageway space marked by hatching, to the south

of the marked turning lane into Acre Road, as shown in Figure 2.8, below. Costed for

non signalised pedestrian costing with tactile paving, dropped kerbs and a central

refuge. 25,000

Provide pedestrian island refuges on High Street south of Market Place (in section of

High Street in between signalised pedestrian crossing and zebra crossing). 25,000

Provide pedestrian island refuges on High Street south of Burrowmoor Road

junction. 25,000

Improve safety of pedestrian crossing facilities across Market Place junction with

High Street with installation of an uncontrolled raised entry table pedestrian crossing

at junction. 3,500

Improve safety of pedestrian crossing facilities across Elwyn Road junction with High

Street with installation of an uncontrolled raised table pedestrian crossing at

junction. 3,500

Cycling Facilities

Review cycle parking provision in Market Place and High Street to ensure provision

where needed. 2050

Re-line and sign existing cycling infrastructure provision, especially on shared

footway sections. Assume 4km of carriageway/footway to reline/sign. 7760

35

Wayfinding

Update outdated existing destination signage with new wayfinding signage network,

providing distance and journey times to key destinations, for direct and quiet leisure

routes. 13,528

Parking

Parking enforcement to reduce obstructions from vehicles parked on shared use

pave --








Appendix K.

Figure 2.8: Carriageway Space on the High Street (B1101) For A Pedestrian Crossing Island Refuge

36

2.4. Route 3 – Station Road (B1101)


2.4.1. The B1101 Station Road corridor connects

March Railway Station with the town centre,

via Broad Street, approximately 1km to the

south of the station. Adjacent to the station,

a full barrier level crossing intersects the

B1101. The level crossing barrier closures

create traffic congestion, with queuing in

both directions during peak hours. FDC and

CCC offices are accessed from Station Road,

via County Road.

2.4.2. Station Road, between the railway station, Broad Street and the town centre,

experiences high footfall and is an important gateway for visitors to March. Land use,

bus stop locations, plus walking and cycling journey times are illustrated in Figure 2.9

2.4.3. The majority of buildings lining Station Road are residential, with a cluster of

commercial and retail premises including a petrol station. Around the station itself

there is a small hotel, restaurant, social club and Network Rail yard.

Public Transport

2.4.4. March Railway Station provides regular services to Peterborough, Ely and Cambridge

and is served by trains travelling on the following networks:

• Birmingham New Street – Stansted Airport

• Peterborough – Ipswich

• Liverpool – Norwich

37

2.4.5. Two bus services, routes 33 and 56, serve Station Road. Route 56 serves Broad Street

and the town centre and the 33 route travels via County Road and Elm Road via

residential streets in an orbital route around March, serving Broad Street and the

town centre. There is only one evident bus stop close on the Station Road corridor,

located just north of the station and level crossing on the northbound side of Elm

Road (Station Road is called Elm Road beyond the level crossing), outside the Braza

Club. According to the route map for the 56 bus service, there is a southbound stop

on Elm Road just north of the level crossing, but in reality there is no evidence of any

southbound bus stop in this vicinity. There are approximately 60 parking spaces at

March Railway Station.


2.4.6. Pedestrian crossing locations along Station Road are shown in Figure 2.10. There is

one signalised pedestrian crossing close to the junction with Broad Street and two

uncontrolled island refuge pedestrian crossing locations, one on the junction with

Creek Road and one further up Station Road, north of the junction with County Road.

A ‘quick win’ proposal for provision of a zebra crossing on Station Road in the vicinity

of St John’s Road has been identified and, as of January 2020, design proposals are

being progressed by CCC.


2.4.7. Cycle parking is provided on both platforms at March Railway Station, with 40 cycle

stands on platform one and 20 stands on platform two. The platform one stands are

well used although theft is often reported. Step-free access is available at both

platforms via the level crossing. There are no on-road or shared use cycling facilities

along the Station Road corridor, although a shared footway is signposted for Neale-

Wade Academy leading off Station Road through residential streets on the east side

of March.

38

Figure 2.9: Map of Land Use and Bus Stops Station Road

39


2.4.8. Station Road has 12 recorded accidents in the period 2014 – 2018, as illustrated in

Figure 2.10. Two of these were recorded as serious accidents, the first of which was

at the junction with Alpha Street and involved an OAP and a vehicle turning right.

The second serious accident happened at the busy junction with Creek Road

involving a motorcycle. There are two obvious clusters, one at the staggered junction

of Norwood Avenue and St John’s Road, and the other at the mini-roundabout

located at the junction with County Road, outside St John the Evangelist Church.

40

Figure 2.10: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations Station Road

41

Key Issues

2.4.9. The footway condition at several junctions along Station Road is of poor quality, with

missing tactile paving and inadequate provision of dropped kerbs. The majority of

the road junctions leading to the east and west from Station Road require footway

improvements, including Norwood Avenue, St John’s Road, Milner Close, North

Street, Alpha Street, County Road, Queens Street, see photo in Figure 2.11, and

Thornton Road.

2.4.10. There is limited provision of pedestrian crossing facilities across Station Road.

2.4.11. The entrance into March Railway Station (Station Approach) is extremely wide and

is a potential hazard for pedestrian and cyclists accessing the station or travelling

past on Station Road.

2.4.12. The Station Road / Creek Road junction requires pedestrian accessibility and safety

improvements as the guard railing on the corner, outside Jim Hocking Court, blocks

the pedestrian crossing route via the central refuge, see photo in Figure 2.11. This

forces pedestrian crossing desire lines away from the central refuge where there are

no dropped kerbs, and results in a road safety hazard for pedestrians and mobile

scooters trying to cross this busy section of road.

2.4.13. The footways at either side of the level crossing are very narrow and uneven, leaving

pedestrians and cyclists very close to passing traffic, see photo in Figure 2.11.

2.4.14. Bus stop provision and bus service information is poor outside the station. There is

no evident bus stop or signage regarding local bus services to the town centre from

outside the station.

2.4.15. Existing pedestrian and cycling signage from the railway station and along the length

of Station Road is inadequate.

2.4.16. Incidents of cycle theft are a regular occurrence at March Railway Station.

42

Figure 2.11: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in Station Road, B1101

43


2.4.17. The recommendations and implementation cost estimates identified for B1101

Station Road are summarised in Table 2.3, below.


Recommendation Cost

Footways

Widen footway through level crossing on Station Road. This proposal 13,492

Resurface pavements, provision of tactile paving and dropped kerbs at the junctions of Station Road with Norwood Avenue, St John’s Road, Milner Close, North Street, Alpha Street, County Road, Queens Street and Thornton Road.

32,000

Crossing Facilities

Improve pedestrian crossing facilities on Station Road by Creek Road. The central refuge should be redesigned to create a direct crossing facility to serve the high footfall of pedestrians accessing Sainsbury’s car park at this location.2 This proposal could be delivered as part of the FHSF bid.

25,000

Improve pedestrian crossing facilities at Station Approach entrance with provision of an island refuge.

25,000

Install additional pedestrian crossing point across Station Road with central island refuge tactile paving and dropped kerbs. A zebra crossing on Station Road in the vicinity of St John’s Road has been identified and the design is being progressed and delivered by CCC.

-

Cycling Facilities

Install secure cycle storage facilities for 40 cycles at March train station for passengers.

50,250

Assess options for providing cycling infrastructure along Station Road, with shared use footway.

33,800

Provide a more direct cycle route linking Station Road with Neale Wade Academy and south east March, via St. John’s Road, Wigstone’s and the footbridge to the south of the River Nene.

5350

2 The Station Road / Creek Road junction is being considered for conversion to a mini roundabout as part of the MATS Town Centre Package of Options, contained with the MATS Options Assessment Report. Improved pedestrian access across Station Road and Creek Street will be considered as part of the design proposal. A junction design proposal is included in Appendix A.

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/transport-funding-bids-and-studies/march-transport-study

44

Recommendation Cost

Wayfinding

Install ped/cycle signage, with distance and journey time, for routes between March Railway Station, the town centre and other key destinations, including Neale-Wade Academy.

5073

Sign post and cycle symbol road markings for quieter cycle route into town centre via Nene Parade

3640

Bus Stops

Review bus stop provision in Station Road as part of a March wide bus stop infrastructure review.

16,000

Improve appearance of existing northbound bus stop shelter and provision of passenger information at northbound stop close to the station, on Elm Road.

1716

Investigate relocating northbound Station Road bus stop to an alternative and safer location, closer to the entrance of the railway station. (e.g. within Station Approach entrance). This would improve interchange accessibility and increase bus service visibility.

8246

Provide a bus stop for southbound 56 bus services close to the station. 8246

Total Cost for All Improvements 227,813







Appendix K.

2.4.20. The recommendations identified within the vicinity of March Railway Station, will be

developed in conjunction with the March Railway Station Masterplan Strategy, 2006.

The Masterplan, produced by FDC and the Hereward Community Rail Partnership,

identified a range of improvements for the station and car park area.

2.4.21. The recommendations within the March Railway Station area which align with the

contents of the March Railway Station Masterplan include:

• The provision of secure station cycle parking.

45

• Improving pedestrian crossing facilities across Station Approach.

• Improving footway provision through the level crossing on Station Road.

• Wayfinding signage improvements.

• Investigating options to improve interchange access to local bus services on Station

Road, including the relocation of existing bus stop facilities.

46

2.5. Route 4 – St Peter’s Road, Upwell Road (B1099), Elwyn Road & Eastwood Avenue


2.5.1. The residential areas of Elwyn Road and

St Peter’s Road provide access to the

south east of March from the High

Street. St Peter’s Road runs eastbound

from the junction with the B1011 High

Street, and Elwyn Road runs south from

the High Street to St. Peter’s Road,

providing an alternative route to the

town centre via Market Place. Eastwood

Avenue intersects the same junction

from the south and is a popular route for

students accessing Neale-Wade Academy, the town’s secondary school and sixth

form college, which is attended by 1,300 students. Land use plus walking and cycling

journey times are illustrated in Figure 2.12.

Public Transport

2.5.2. The route of the 33 service travels via Elwyn Road to Badgeney Road and navigates

across Upwell Road into Cavalry Drive. There are no bus stops on St Peter’s Road,

Eastwood Avenue and Elwyn Road; the closest stops are on Morton Avenue, Cavalry

Drive and The Causeway.


2.5.3. There is one signalised pedestrian crossing facility provided at the junction of St.

Peter’s Road with the B1101, High Street. There is an uncontrolled pedestrian

crossing at the top of Elwyn Road and one on Upwell Road, close to the mini

roundabout with Cavalry Drive. CCC consulted on proposals to install a zebra crossing

on St. Peter’s Road, to the west of the junction with Eastwood Avenue with installed

proposed for autumn 2020. The design proposals for the zebra crossing are provided

in Appendix C.

47

2.5.4. Eastwood Avenue and Elwyn Road provide an important route for students accessing

Neale-Wade Academy with hundreds of students crossing at the junction with St.

Peter’s Road every weekday morning and afternoon during term time. At the

southern end of the shared use footpath linking Eastwood Avenue to Cavalry Drive,

via the March Sconce, an uncontrolled raised table pedestrian crossing is provided

over Cavalry Drive, for student only access into the back of Neale-Wade.


2.5.5. On Elwyn Road there is shared footway provision for cyclists and pedestrians. This

links to a cycle lane which links to the footbridge to Nene Parade and Wigstone’s

Road, via Badgeney Road, New Road, and Deerfield Road.

48

Figure 2.12: Map of Land Use and Bus Stops in Elwyn Road, St. Peter’s Road, Upwell Road and Eastwood Avenue

49


2.5.6. Between 2014 and 2018, six slight accidents were recorded along Elwyn Road, with

four concentrated between the junctions with Deerfield Road and Badgeney Road.

2.5.7. Four accidents were recorded along St. Peter’s Road, with four slight accidents

clustered over a 200 metre stretch between the junctions with Chandler Way and

Elwyn Road to Eastwood Avenue. One serious accident took place at the junction of

Upwell Road and Morton Avenue.

2.5.8. One serious accident was also recorded at the raised table crossing location on

Cavalry Road by the back entrance to Nene Wade Academy.

2.5.9. Figures 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15 illustrate the locations of accidents recorded between

2014 and 2018 and the provision of crossing facilities.

50

Figure 2.13: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations Elwyn Road

Figure 2.14: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations Eastwood Avenue and March Sconce

51

Figure 2.15: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations St. Peter’s Road and Upwell Road

52

Key Issues

2.5.10. The narrow pavements at the Elwyn Road, Badgeney Road junction make it difficult

for pedestrian and mobility scooter users to safely cross. There is no footway

pavement provided on the south side of Deerfield Road at the corner of the junction

with Elwyn Road, which creates a safety issue for pedestrians. Both these issues are

shown by the photos in Figure 2.16.

2.5.11. The cycle lane on the western side of Elwyn Road stops with no clear instructions of

how cyclists should re-enter the road network. The junction itself has little to no

provision of dropped kerb and tactile paving for pedestrians.

2.5.12. There is insufficient provision of crossing facilities for both pedestrians and cyclists

on St. Peter’s Road/Upwell Road (B1099), as illustrated by the photo in Figure 2.17,

below.

2.5.13. This is the main pedestrian and cycling route to Neale Wade Academy, with hundreds

of students informally crossing the St. Peter’s Road / Elwyn Road / Eastwood Avenue

junction. Students also congregate outside the newsagents on the corner of St.

Peter’s Road and Elwyn Road, reducing visibility for traffic turning out of Elwyn Road.

This junction presents a serious road safety concern as both St. Peter’s Road and

Elwyn Road experience high volumes of traffic, including HGVs, which according to

residents spoken to during site visits, often travel at speed through this area.

Dropped kerb facilities also require upgrading at this junction.

2.5.14. Large numbers of students walk and cycle via Eastwood Avenue to and from the

direction of St. Peter’s Road and Elwyn Road, with many choosing to walk down the

middle of Eastwood Avenue, creating a potential road safety conflict with both

cyclists and motor vehicles. The poor footway condition, as shown by the photo in

Figure 2.18, below, and inadequate width for the volume of students, encourages

this behaviour.

53

2.5.15. The pedestrian and cycling route from Eastwood Avenue to Neale-Wade Academy

continues via March Sconce to Cavalry Drive, with a traffic calming raised table

across Cavalry Drive to the back gates of the Academy. It was noted on site visit days

that the raised table crossing was being used like a zebra crossing with vehicles giving

way to pedestrians. However, there is no official crossing infrastructure to prompt

vehicles to stop, as shown by the photo in Figure 2.18, below.

2.5.16. Signage is in poor condition and fragmented along this popular route corridor to

Neale-Wade Academy via Eastwood Avenue and the March Sconce open space.

54

Figure 2.16: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in Elwyn Avenue

55

Figure 2.17: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in St. Peter’s Road and Upwell Road

56

Figure 2.18: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in Eastwood Avenue and March Sconce

57


2.5.17. The recommendations and implementation cost estimates identified for B1099 St

Peter’s Road, Elwyn Road & Eastwood Avenue are summarised in Table 2.4, below.


Recommendation Cost

Footways

Install footway on south side of Deerfield Road at the junction with Elwyn Road.

36,000

Improve the condition of the footpath on Eastwood Avenue. 1500

Crossing Facilities

Improve pedestrian crossing facilities on Elwyn Road, from junctions with Deerfield Road and Badgeney Road.

20,000

Support CCC’s proposals for improving pedestrian crossing facilities and traffic calming at junction of St. Peter’s Road, Elwyn Road, and Eastwood Avenue. CCC have undertaken a public consultation regarding junction improvements and the installation of a zebra crossing at the St. Peter’s Road, Eastwood Avenue, Elwyn Road junction. The design proposals for the zebra crossing are provided in Appendix C.

50,000

(detailed estimate tbc)

Investigate need for additional uncontrolled pedestrian crossing facilities along St. Peter’s Road.

20,000

Examine the need for a controlled crossing facility across Cavalry Drive, by the back entrance to Neale-Wade Academy.

20,000

Support CCC’s proposals to introduce traffic calming on approaches to mini roundabout at Upwell Road, Cavalry Drive junction, for the safety of pedestrians crossing at the junction.3

10,000-

(detailed estimate tbc)

Wayfinding

Install wayfinding signage network, providing distance and journey times to Neale-Wade Academy, the town centre, and March Railway Station.

6764

Total Cost for All Improvements 164,264

3 Traffic calming measures to reduce speeds through the Upwell Road, Cavalry Drive mini roundabout are being designed by CCC for delivery in Autumn 2020.

58







Appendix K.

59

2.6. Route 5 – Burrowmoor Road, Gaul Road


2.6.1. Burrowmoor and Gaul Road provide the

main route corridors through the residential

areas of west March, which incorporate

March Police Station, March Town Cricket

Club and Burrowmoor Primary School.

Burrowmoor Road heads south west for

1.2km to the A141 Isle of Ely Way. Gaul Road

leads off Burrowmoor Road heading north

west for 1.2km to the next junction north on

the A141 Isle of Ely Way. Land use is

illustrated in Figure 2.19.

Public Transport

2.6.2. Bus route 33 serves this residential area via Burrowmoor Road, Ellingham Avenue

and Gaul Road. However, there appear to be no visible bus stops or on-street route

information to inform people of the bus service. The bus operator, Stagecoach, has

confirmed this section of the 33 bus route operates as a hail and ride service,

although they would prefer to introduce dedicated bus stops.


2.6.3. There is one signalised pedestrian crossing on Burrowmoor Road adjacent to the

junction with Chapel Street. There are no other pedestrian crossing facilities

provided in this residential area of March.

2.6.4. There are several alleyways and off-street links crisscrossing the residential streets

and green spaces in this part of March, including shared use footpath access to West

End Park and the town centre via The Chase. However, wayfinding signage is non-

existent through this area.

60


2.6.5. There is no evident cycling infrastructure provision in this part of March.

61

Figure 2.19: Map of Land Use and Bus Stops in Burrowmoor Road, Gaul Road and Ellingham Avenue

62


2.6.6. Two slight accidents were recorded between 2014 and 2018, both in Gaul Road, as

shown in Figure 2.20. This is probably a reflection of the lower levels of traffic and

footfall in this part of March.

63

Figure 2.20: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations Burrowmoor Road, Gaul Road and Ellingham Avenue

64

Key Issues

2.6.7. There are insufficient crossing facilities on Burrowmoor Road, especially outside

Burrowmoor Primary School, as illustrated by the photo in Figure 2.21, and also a

lack of crossing facilities on Gaul Road and Ellington Avenue.

2.6.8. Several junctions lack provision of tactile paving and dropped kerbs.

2.6.9. There is no pedestrian or cycling wayfinding signage in this corridor although there

is a footpath link, connected via green spaces between Gaul Park and The Chase,

through to West End Park and the town centre. The lack of wayfinding signage at the

entrance to The Chase path is shown by the photo in Figure 2.21.

2.6.10. The Corn Mill entrance into Gaul Park has barrier signs prohibiting cycling, as shown

by the photo in Figure 2.21. Further investigation is required as to the reasons for

the barrier access restriction and cycling ban, as Gaul Park path appears to be

suitable for share use access for cycling as well as pedestrian access.

2.6.11. There is no bus stop infrastructure, such as designated bus stops, service timetables,

shelters and seating along the corridor despite being the route of bus service 33.

65

Figure 2.21: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in Burrowmoor Road, Gaul Road and Ellingham Avenue

66


2.6.12. The recommendations and implementation cost estimates identified for

Burrowmoor Road and Gaul Road are summarised in Table 2.5, below.


Improvement Cost

Footways

Create a green shared use route from Gaul Park through to West End Park via Gaul Road and Oxbow Crescent.

5000

Remove cycling access restriction on alleyways into Gaul Park. 60

Crossing Facilities

Improve pedestrian crossing facilities on Gaul Road, to serve as access to Gaul Park, Oxbow Crescent and The Chase Path and create a green link through to West End Park and the town centre.

20,000

Tactile paving and dropped kerbs need installing at the following locations: Burrowmoor Road / Ellingham Avenue, Gaul Road / Ellingham Avenue, Ellingham Avenue / Sycamore Close, Gaul Road – Gaul Park and The Chase access.

10,000

Wayfinding

Create an off-road/green link from west March through to the parks and town centre. Signage should be installed to promote pedestrian and cycle routes and supported through a Travel Awareness Campaign.

-

Bus Stops

Undertake bus stop review for this area in partnership with the local bus operator and CCC. The 33 bus route would benefit from the provision of dedicated bus stops and service timetable information.

16,000

Lighting / Personal Security

Review lighting provision on off-street paths, especially on the Chase Path and through Gaul Park.

13,600


67







Appendix K.

68

2.7. Route 6 – Dartford Road, Wisbech Road (B1099)


2.7.1. The B1099, Dartford Road and

Wisbech Road corridor provides a

direct link from the signalised

junction at Broad Street to Peas Hill

Roundabout, connecting to the

A141, Tesco and employment

centres in the Hostmoor Avenue

Industrial Park. As such, the corridor

receives high volumes of through

traffic, including HGVs. The

combined distance of these two

roads is 1.6km. The majority of

Wisbech Road is residential semi-detached housing. Dartford Road contains trip

generating commercial and retail premises close to the junction with Broad Street,

including Lidl supermarket, Wetherspoons hotel and the Royal Mail Post Office. Land

use is illustrated for Dartford Road in Figure 2.23 and for Wisbech Road in Figure

2.22.

Public Transport

2.7.2. Route 33 serves Dartford Road, Elliot Road, Wisbech Road, Norwood Road and

Hostmoor Avenue. There are two bus stops (one eastbound and one westbound)

along Dartford Road. Bus stops are more frequently provided along Wisbech Road.

Bus Route 46 serves stops on Wisbech Road, providing a connection from March

town centre, via the A141, to Wisbech and King’s Lynn. Bus stop locations along

Wisbech Road/Dartford Road are shown in Figures 2.22 and 2.23.


2.7.3. There is one signalised pedestrian and cyclist crossing on the entire length of

Wisbech Road, adjacent to the convenience store and the junction with Hillside

Road. This crossing is on the route of NCN 63.

69

2.7.4. There is a signalised pedestrian crossing on Dartford Road, near the junction with

Marylebone Road and a pedestrian crossing phase at the signalised junction with

Broad Street.

2.7.5. There are no other pedestrian crossing facilities or island refuges provided along the

entire B1099 Dartford Road, Wisbech Road corridor, despite it being a high footfall

corridor.


2.7.6. NCN 63 crosses Wisbech Road, via the signalised pedestrian crossing adjacent to

Hillside Gardens. There is fragmented signage for the route of NCN 63 via Hillside

Gardens, Truman Avenue and West End.

70

Figure 2.22: Wisbech Road Location

71

Figure 2.23: Dartford Road Location

72


2.7.7. There were a total of 17 accidents, 15 slight and 2 serious, reported along Wisbech

Road and Dartford Road between 2014-2018, as illustrated in Figures 2.24 and 2.25.

There is a cluster of five slight injury accidents on the approach to the A141 / Peas

Hill roundabout. A second cluster of accidents has been identified on Dartford Road,

where eleven accidents occurred in the space of 360 metres. Ten of the accidents

were slight injury and one was serious, at the Dartford Road, Broad Street junction.

73

Figure 2.24: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations Wisbech Road

Figure 2.25: Map of Accident Severity and Pedestrian Crossing Locations Dartford Road

74

Key Issues

2.7.8. The provision of pedestrian crossing facilities are inadequate and require

improvements at several locations along the B1099 Dartford Road and Wisbech Road

corridor, to give pedestrians and mobility scooter users more crossing facilities to

cross this busy traffic corridor.

2.7.9. The Norwood Road junction with Wisbech Road, by the ‘Men of March’ public house,

is particularly poor, requiring pedestrian crossing improvements on all arms of the

roundabout. This junction is shown in Figure 2.26.

2.7.10. There is also a lack of pedestrian crossing facilities at the A141, Peas Hill roundabout.

The staggered junction of Dartford Road, Westwood Avenue and Rookswood Road

require pedestrian crossing improvements. There is also a lack of safe crossing

facilities for accessing Lidl supermarket on foot from Dartford Road

2.7.11. The provision of crossing facilities across side roads along Dartford Road and

Wisbech Road are also of poor quality. The junctions with Prince’s Walk, Gordon

Avenue and Westwood Avenue all require accessibility improvements with dropped

kerbs and tactile paving. Gordon Avenue requires the installation of a footway on its

eastern side, which currently stops abruptly, as shown by the photo in Figure 2.27.

Pedestrian and cycling signage is fragmented along the corridor, for both the NCN 63

routing and local cycle routes.

2.7.12. The condition of bus stops along Wisbech Road is poor, lacking shelters, bus service

information and often located with no provision of a layby or hard standing, as

shown by the photo is Figure 2.27. This creates accessibility issues for boarding and

alighting, especially when parked cars make it difficult to reach the bus from the

footway. This is particularly challenging for elderly passengers, those with mobility

issues, wheelchair users or those with push chairs.

75

Figure 2.26: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in Wisbech Road

76

Figure 2.27: Location and Photos of Key Issues Identified in Dartford Road and Wisbech Road

77


2.7.13. The recommendations and implementation cost estimates identified for the B1099,

Dartford Road and Wisbech Road are summarised in Table 2.6, below.


Improvement Cost

Footways

Install footway on eastern side of Gordon Avenue. 72,000

Crossing Facilities

Improve pedestrian crossing facilities at the junction of Wisbech Road and Norwood Road.

60,000

Install pedestrian crossing facilities along Dartford Road, including to Lidl supermarket.

40,000

Install island refuge crossing facilities to aid pedestrian and mobility scooter accessibility across the B1099 corridor.

25,000

Install pedestrian crossing facilities at the A141 / Peas Hill roundabout. Costed for Wisbech Road arm of junction.

25,000

Improve junction crossing facilities, with provision of dropped kerbs and tactile paving, across the following side roads: Prince’s Walk, Gordon Avenue, Westwood Avenue and Rookswood Road.

8,000

Cycling Facilities

Incorporate cycling infrastructure along the B1099, including cycle lanes either on-carriageway, or through a shared footway, providing cyclists with a safe and direct route to Tesco and the Industrial Park.

36,300

Wayfinding

Improve the provision of pedestrian and cycle route signage for both the NCN 63 routing and local cycle routes, as part of a town-wide wayfinding scheme.

Further details provided in Signage Audit Recommendations in Chapter 4

12,834

Bus Stops

Review and upgrade bus stop provision and accessibility along the Dartford Road and Wisbech Road corridor.

16,000


78







Appendix K.

79

2.8. Summary of Walking and Cycling Audit Recommendations

2.8.1. The key improvement recommendations identified for each of the six corridors are

summarised in Table 2.7, overleaf.

80

Table 2.7: Summary of Key Recommendations for Each Audited Corridor

Corridor Footways Improvement

Locations Crossing Facility Improvement

Locations Cycling Facilities Wayfinding Signage Bus Stops Parking

Broad Street

Replace uneven paving and refurbish guard railing on the corner of Broad Street and Dartford Road.

Improve footway condition and width on corners of Dartford Road and Grays Lane, and the corner with Darthill Road.

Install footway along Robingoodfellow’s Lane.

Provide crossing facilities across:

• Broad Street from Fenland Walk,

• Improve safety awareness for pedestrians crossing Robingoodfellow’s Lane at interchange with Station Road and Broad Street.

Install more conveniently located and secure cycle parking provision on both sides of the street.

Improve pedestrian and cycling signage, with journey time and distance to key destinations from Broad Street.

Remove inaccurate NCN 63 sticker signage from street furniture in Broad Street.

Improve appearance of the northbound bus stop on Broad Street, with the provision of up to date bus service route maps and timetables.

Improve enforcement of illegal parking at both bus stops on Broad Street

Review and formalise provision of parking in Broad Street and Nene Parade.

Re-line all road markings in Broad Street, Grays Lanes and Nene Parade, including bus stop laybys, yellow lines and parking bays.

High Street

Install a footway on section of High Street across entrance to Chapel Street shared footpath.

Provide crossing facilities:

• between High Street and Market Place, south of Acre Road entrance.

• Improve crossing facilities across Market Place and Elwyn Road.

• pedestrian island refuges in the section of High Street south of Market Place and south of Burrowmoor Road junction.

Review cycle parking provision in Market Place and High Street to ensure provision where needed.

Re-line and sign existing cycling infrastructure provision, especially on shared footway sections.

Update outdated existing destination signage with new wayfinding signage network, providing distance and journey times to key destinations, for direct, quiet and leisure routes.

Review bus stop provision (as part of March wide bus stop infrastructure review) including:

• provision of additional bus stops on High Street or relocate High Street southbound bus stop closer to town centre commercial area and Market Place.

Parking enforcement to reduce obstructions from vehicles parked on shared use pavements and in cycle lanes.

Station Road (B1011)

Widen footway through level crossing on Station Road.

Resurface pavements, replace tactile paving/ dropped kerbs at junctions of several side roads off Station Road.

Improve pedestrian crossing facilities at:

• Station Road/Creek Road

• Station Approach entrance

Pedestrian island refuge crossing facilities at appropriate locations on Station Road.

Install secure cycle storage facilities at March train station for passengers.

Provide shared use footway or on road cycle lanes along Station Road.

Provide a more direct route to Neale Wade Academy, and the south east side of March via St. John’s Road, Wigstone’s Road and the footbridge.

Provide a quieter route for access into the town centre via St. John’s Road, Wigstone’s Road and Nene Parade.

Install signage for routes between March Railway Station, the town centre and other key destinations, including Neale-Wade Academy.

Review bus stop provision (as part of March wide bus stop infrastructure review) including:

• Relocating northbound Station Road bus stop to close to station entrance

• Provide a bus stop for southbound 56 bus services

81

Corridor Footways Improvement

Locations Crossing Facility Improvement

Locations Cycling Facilities Wayfinding Signage Bus Stops Parking

Elwyn Road, St. Peters Road,

Eastwood Avenue

Install footway on south side of Deerfield Road at the junction with Elwyn Road.

Improve the condition of the footpath on Eastwood Avenue.

Provide crossing facilities at:.

• Elwyn Road/ Badgeney Road junction

• Support CCC proposal for zebra crossing at St. Peter’s Road/Elwyn Road/Eastwood Avenue junction.

• Investigate need for additional uncontrolled pedestrian crossing facilities along St. Peter’s Road.

• Upwell Road/ Cavalry Drive junction

• Examine the need for a controlled pedestrian crossing facility across Cavalry Drive, by the back entrance to Neale-Wade Academy.

Provide distance and journey time signage to Neale-Wade Academy, the town centre, and March Railway Station.

Burrowmoor Road, Gaul Road

Create a green route from Gaul Park through to West End Park via Gaul Road and Oxbow Crescent.

Improve crossing facilities at Burrowmoor Road Primary School.

Install central island refuge crossing facilities at appropriate locations to serve as access to green corridor via Gaul Park, Oxbow Crescent and The Chase Path.

Install dropped kerbs and tactile paving on side road crossings

Remove cycling access restriction on alleyways into Gaul Park.

Sign off-road/green links from West March through to the parks and town centre.

Review provision for bus stops (as part of March wide bus stop infrastructure review) and service timetable provision for bus route 33.

Dartford Road/ Wisbech Road

(B1099)

Install footway on eastern side of Gordon Avenue junction with Dartford Road.

• Wisbech Road/ Norwood Road junction.

• Dartford Road (adjacent to Lidl)

• Wisbech Road / Peas Hill roundabout.

• Install dropped kerbs and tactile paving at side road crossings on B1099 corridor.

• Pedestrian island refuge crossing facilities at appropriate location.

Incorporate cycling infrastructure along the B1099, such as cycle lanes either on-carriageway, or through a shared footways.

Improve the provision of pedestrian and cycle route signage for both the NCN 63 routing and local cycle routes.

Review (as part of March wide bus stop infrastructure review) and upgrade bus stop provision and accessibility along the Dartford Road and Wisbech Road corridor.

82

3. Safe Routes to School

3.1. Introduction

3.1.1. Safe routes to school audits have been undertaken for all five schools in March which

include:

• Neale-Wade Academy (secondary school and sixth form)

• Burrowmoor Primary School

• Cavalry Primary School

• Westwood Primary School (including Maple Grove Infant school)

• All Saints Inter-Church Primary School

3.1.2. The safe routes to school audits were conducted through site visits, review of

existing school travel plans, and where possible, contact with each school’s travel

plan officer. Recommendations for each school travel audit have been made based

on the following:

• Reviewed existing walking and cycling routes to school, vehicle drop-off / pick-up

parking arrangements.

• Identified safety improvements including pedestrian / cycling crossing facilities,

parking and road safety measures.

• Reviewed the content of existing school travel plans and liaised with School Travel

Plan Coordinators.

3.1.3. High level cost estimates for implementing the key recommendations for each

school are summarised in section 3.7.

3.1.4. Figure 3.1, below, illustrates the location of the five schools in March.

83

Figure 3.1: Location of Schools in March

84

3.2. Neale-Wade Academy

Background

3.2.1. Neale-Wade Academy is located in the south of March on the B1101, where The

Avenue and Wimblington Road merge, as illustrated in Figure 3.2.

Figure 3.2: Location of Neale-Wade Academy

85

3.2.2. Neale-Wade Academy is the only secondary school and sixth form college in March

and is by far the largest educational establishment with approximately 1,350

students, aged 11-18 and 210 employees.

3.2.3. There are two access points for pedestrians and cyclists. The main entrance and

access for vehicles is off the B1011, the other access is via Cavalry Drive, in the north

east corner of the site. This entrance is only for use by Neale-Wade students and

staff and is only open during the start and end of the school day. The Cavalry Drive

entrance links to a shared use footpath to Eastwood Avenue and St. Peter’s Road,

via the March Sconce.

3.2.4. There are three bus stops located close to the main school entrance on the B1101,

served by bus routes 46 and 56 providing the most frequent timetable for school

travel.

3.2.5. Figures 3.3 and 3.4 display the walking and cycling time and distance radius from

Neale-Wade Academy, from 0 to 25 minutes and 400 to 2000 metres respectively.

The Academy is located 1.8 km from Broad Street, taking on average 19 minutes to

walk or just six minutes to cycle via the B1101. The distance to March train station is

2.7 km, taking 36 minutes to walk or 10 minutes to cycle via the B1101. The

Academy’s catchment area will include the whole of March and outlying villages.

86

Figure 3.3: Walking Times / Distance for Neale-Wade Academy

87

Figure 3.4: Cycling Times / Distance for Neale-Wade Academy

88

Key Audit Findings

3.2.6. The informal pedestrian crossing across Cavalry Drive to the back gate student

entrance to the Academy has a raised table to slow traffic but there is no official

crossing infrastructure to prompt vehicles to stop which could be unsafe (see also

section 2.5 above). One serious accident has been recorded at this crossing location

in the period 2014-2018. The crossing provides direct access to the school premises

for students coming from the Eastwood Road direction, eastern March and the town

centre.

3.2.7. There is insufficient provision of crossing facilities for both pedestrians and cyclists

on St. Peter’s Road/Upwell Road (B1099), Elwyn Road and Eastwood Avenue, as

identified in the walking and cycling route audit, section 2.5. CCC are currently

consulting on junction improvements and the provision of a zebra crossing at St.

Peter’s Road next to the junction with Eastwood Avenue. The proposed location of

the zebra crossing and the main footfall routing for Neale-Wade students through

this junction, is illustrated in Figure 3.5, below, which is slightly off centre from the

existing desire line to cross St Peter’s Road.

Figure 3.5: Location of Proposed Pedestrian Crossing

89

3.2.8. Lighting provision is poor through the March Sconce section of the shared use

footway connecting Cavalry Drive with Eastwood Avenue and St Peter’s Road. During

the winter months of reduced daylight this route becomes less attractive to use in

the hours of darkness.

3.2.9. The street environment on the approaches to the main entrance of Neale-Wade

Academy from the B1101, are of adequate standard and layout.

Neale-Wade Academy Travel Plan

3.2.10. Neale-Wade Academy has an active School Travel Plan registered by the nationally

recognised ModeShift STARS accreditation scheme. Details of the travel plan are

summarised in Appendix D.

3.2.11. Student travel to school mode share for 2018/19, as well as the 2019/2020 travel

plan mode share targets, are provided in Table 3.1, which shows that active and

sustainable modes of travel account for 80% of student journeys to Neale-Wade

Academy. However, car use still accounts for the second highest mode of transport.

Table 3.1: Survey, Modal Shift and Targets

Mode of Travel Student Travel Mode Share (%),

2018/19

Mode Share Target (%) for

2019/20

Walk 43.8 44.0

Cycle 9.5 19.8

Public Service Bus 12.9 13.0

Dedicated School Bus 9.8 10.5

Park and Stride 1.9 2.5

Car Share 4.0 4.5

Car 16.1 16.0

Scooting 2.1 2.5

90

Recommendations

3.2.12. Examine the need for a controlled crossing facility across Cavalry Drive, by the back

entrance to Neale-Wade Academy. Converting this informal crossing into a zebra

crossing would eradicate possible confusion between pedestrians/cyclists and

oncoming vehicles. The proposed zebra crossing over St Peter’s Road would link up

with this crossing point and create a safer route for students to get to and from the

school.

3.2.13. Review lighting and personal security provision through the March Sconce.

3.2.14. Improve wayfinding signage for all pedestrian and cycling routes to Neale-Wade

Academy.

3.2.15. Initial consultation feedback with the School Travel Plan Coordinator at Neale-Wade

Academy, identified the following recommendations which would benefit all five

schools in March:

• Introduce 20mph speed limits around all five schools (during term time drop-off / pick-

up) with interactive warning signage (as in place around Westwood Primary) to

increase safety and reduce rat running.

• Re-lining of no parking restriction road markings outside each school.

91

3.3. Burrowmoor Primary School

Background

3.3.1. Burrowmoor Primary School is located on Burrowmoor Road, as shown in Figure 3.6,

which is a residential road and corridor to the A141 Isle of Ely Way. Burrowmoor

Primary is the closest school to the town centre and is located on the hail and ride

section of the 33 bus service.

Figure 3.6: Location of Burrowmoor Primary School

92

3.3.2. There are approximately 500 students at the school, ranging between 2 and 11 years

old. Directly outside the school like all the primary schools in March, there are no

stopping yellow road makings. The school has two school crossing patrol officers;

one stands outside the front entrance and the other is at City Road near to the police

station, which assists parents and students heading north.

3.3.3. Figure 3.7 displays the walking time and distance radius achievable from

Burrowmoor Primary, from 0 to 25 minutes and 400 to 2,000 metres respectively.

Burrowmoor Primary does not have a designated catchment area; however it is likely

that the majority of the school’s catchment area is within 15 minutes’ walk from the

school.4

Figure 3.7: Walking Times / Distance for Burrowmoor Primary School

4 According to CCC website

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/schools-learning/apply-for-a-school-place/catchment-areas

93

Key Audit Findings

3.3.4. It was noted during the afternoon school pick up, that parents/carers’ cars were

parked on the southern side of Burrowmoor Road past the school, resulting in

reduced carriageway width for traffic to pass. During site observations at school pick

up, two cars were observed parking in the ‘No Parking’ zigzag markings outside the

front of the school.

3.3.5. A potential pedestrian, vehicle conflict safety concern was identified at the side

entrance to the school’s car park, which is used for student access as well as for staff

and visitor vehicles accessing the car park.

Recommendations

3.3.6. Examine the need for pedestrian crossing improvements on Burrowmoor Road

within proximity to the school.

3.3.7. Install clear markings on the footway and entrance/exit signage to advise

pedestrians and drivers of the shared access to the school’s car park.

3.3.8. Burrowmoor Primary School has no evident school travel plan. A travel plan should

be drafted via the Modeshift STARS accreditation process, in consultation with CCC’s

School Travel Plan Advisor.

94

3.4. Cavalry Primary School

Background

3.4.1. Cavalry Primary School is situated on Cavalry Drive, 250 metres south of the B1099

Upwell Road, as shown in Figure 3.8. The school has a current intake of

approximately 450 students between the ages of 4 and 11. Cavalry Drive is a

relatively quiet residential area of March except during the school drop-off and pick-

up period. There is a bus stop located to the south of the school on Cavalry Drive,

served by the 33 bus service. A school crossing patrol officer is stationed on Upwell

Road near to the junction with Cavalry Drive at the start and finish of the school day.

Figure 3.8: Location of Cavalry Primary School

95

3.4.2. Directly outside the school there are no stopping yellow road makings with a parking

space reserved for ‘School Buses Only’.

3.4.3. Figure 3.9 displays the walking time and distance radius achievable from Cavalry

Primary, from 0 to 25 minutes and 400 to 2,000 metres respectively. The majority of

the school’s catchment area is within 15 minutes’ walk of the school.

Figure 3.9: Walking Times / Distance for Cavalry Primary School

96

Key Audit Findings

3.4.4. The school uses traffic cones to prevent parking directly outside. This deters cars

parking illegally and creates a safer area for school children to cross. Temporary

parking congestion does occur during school pick-up in the residential side roads in

proximity of the school, particularly at Cleveland Bay, Clydesdale Close and

Percheron Drive, which become very congested with parents parking on both sides

of these roads.

3.4.5. The junctions of all side roads leading off Cavalry Drive within close proximity to the

school, lack dropped kerbs and tactile paving. These road junctions include Cleveland

Bay, Clydesdale Close, Percheron Drive and Suffolk Way.

3.4.6. Beyond the marked ‘no parking’ zone and parking cones, cars are often also parked

further along Cavalry Drive on both sides, reducing the width of access to one vehicle

width. On the day of survey, it was noted that there was some illegal parking on

single yellow lines between the school and Percheron Drive.

3.4.7. The area itself has minimal crossing facilities with dropped kerbs and tactile pathing.

There is no on-road cycling infrastructure, although the school does encourage

cycling to school and has an abundance of secure cycle parking. Students were

observed cycling to school on the day of the visit.

Recommendations

3.4.8. Install dropped kerbs and tactile paving across all side road junctions with Cavalry

Drive, close to the school. These junctions include Cleveland Bay, Clydesdale Close,

Percheron Drive and Suffolk Way.

3.4.9. Cavalry Primary has no evident school travel plan. A travel plan should be drafted via

the Modeshift STARS accreditation process, in consultation with CCC’s School Travel

Plan Advisor.

97

3.5. Westwood Primary School & Maple Grove Community Pre-School

Background

3.5.1. Westwood and Maple Grove Schools are situated opposite each other on Maple

Grove, in the residential area north of the B1099 Dartford Road/Wisbech Road

corridor, as shown in Figure 3.10. The schools have students from the ages of 3 to 11

with a current intake of approximately 715. It was noted that Westwood Primary

School had an abundance of safe cycle storage for both students and staff.

Figure 3.10: Location of Westwood Primary School and Maple Grove Pre-School

98

3.5.2. The schools are serviced by two school crossing patrol officers, one stationed on

Maple Grove near the school entrance and junction with Henson Road and one

positioned on Norwood Road. The nearest bus route 33 runs north and southbound

on Norwood Road. Directly outside the two schools’ entrances there are ‘no

stopping’ yellow road makings. Single yellow lines run on both sides of Maple Grove,

with on-street parking restrictions between 8:30-9:30 and 14:30-15:30.

3.5.3. Maple Grove and Henson Road are usually quiet residential streets with no evident

on-street parking pressures, until the Westwood Primary School pick-up period,

when the two roads become temporarily heavily parked and congested with both

pedestrians crossing the roads and vehicles picking up.

3.5.4. Figure 3.11 shows the walking time and distance radius achievable from Westwood

Primary, from 0 to 25 minutes and 400 to 2,000 metres respectively. The majority of

the school’s catchment area is within 15 minutes’ walk from the school.

Figure 3.11: Walking Times / Distance for Westwood Primary School

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Key Audit Findings

3.5.5. The crossing location in Maple Grove where one of the school crossing patrol officers

is located, is an informal crossing with tactile paving and dropped kerbs but there

are no road markings to clearly indicate this crossing to passing traffic.

3.5.6. During site visits at pick-up time, it was evident that several children were being

picked up by car and several of the parents/carers were parking illegally, particularly

in Henson Road. At this location, cars parked on both sides of the road in the

restricted parking area which applies between 8:30 – 9:30 and 14:30 – 15:30. A

parent with a blue badge was parked very near to the junctions making it dangerous

for people to cross. The vehicle owner later explained that the school did not allow

the use of the disabled parking spots in the school car park to be accessed for drop-

off and pick-up.

3.5.7. In the vicinity of the schools there are three traffic speed reducing signs that are

supposed to flash to warn motorists that the speed limit is 20mph during drop-off

and pick-up. Two of these signs are located on Maple Grove, on either side of the

schools’ entrances, close to the Norwood Road junction and close to Hawthorne

Grove. The third sign is located in Henson Road, close to the junction with Maple

Grove. None of these signs currently work and according to one of the school

crossing patrol officers, they have not worked for a long time.

Recommendations

3.5.8. Enforce existing parking restrictions on Maple Grove and Henson Road as parents

persistently park illegally at pick-up, often parking in locations too close to junctions,

creating a hazard for crossing children, parents and other road users.

3.5.9. Repair the three 20 mph speed limit warning signs on Maple Road and Henson Road.

3.5.10. Westwood Primary has an out of date school travel plan from 2006 when the

school’s student intake was significantly smaller than it is now. The school are

advised to draft a new travel plan through the Modeshift STARS accreditation

process, in liaison with the CCC School Travel Plan advisor.

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3.6. All Saints Inter-Church Primary School

Background

3.6.1. All Saints Primary School is just off County Road in a predominately residential area

in the north of March, as shown in Figure 3.12. The school is relatively near to March

Railway Station and close to Station Road. The school caters for children aged 4 to

11 and also has a pre-school for children younger than 3. The school has a student

intake of approximately 216.

Figure 3.12: Location of All Saints Primary School

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3.6.2. The main school entrance is in All Saints Close and has electronic gates which restrict

access to permitted vehicles. Outside the gates there is a zebra crossing on All Saints

Close, with guard railing on both sites of the pavement down to the junction with

County Road. All Saints Close has double yellow lines and no parking zig zag lines

from the school entrance to the junction with County Road. No school crossing patrol

officers were present on the day of the site visit.

3.6.3. There is a second pedestrian entrance to the school from Queen Street Close,

through a CCC office car park. Some children are dropped off and picked up from this

side of the school.

3.6.4. Figure 3.13 shows the walking time and distance radius achievable from All Saints

Primary, from 0 to 25 minutes and 400 to 2000 metres respectively. The majority of

the school’s catchment area is within 15 minutes’ walk from the school.

Figure 3.13: Walking Times / Distance for All Saints Primary School

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Review of Travel Plan

3.6.5. All Saints Primary has an active school travel plan in place. There are 20 staff parking

spaces with 1 disabled parking space available. The plan identifies there are 30 cycle

parking stands available for cyclists which is split 20 for pupils and 10 for staff. March

Railway Station is up to a 10 minute walk. Bus route 33 runs down County Road

although the service timetable does not fit with the pre- or post-school commuting

times.

3.6.6. The school travel plan identifies there is a severe lack of cycle routes near the school.

Issues regarding parental parking over residential driveways have been causing

disruptions and congestion. Roads outside the school are often busy and crossing

with children is tricky. There is a problem regarding bus times, as the services do not

operate during the school commuting timeframe.

Key Audit Findings

3.6.7. One of All Saints Close zebra crossing Belisha flashing beacons is missing off its post

and the other Belisha beacon does not work.

3.6.8. The speed limit in All Saints Close is 20mph, with some surrounding roads rising to

30mph. With regards to crossing facilities, there is one zebra crossing located on All

Saints Close. There is no traffic calming within 500 metres of the school but there are

railings present outside the main gate.

3.6.9. Opposite the entrance to the school there is a residential development with parking

for residents. The parking appears to be unenforced and a few parents were parked

in designated residents’ parking spaces at pick-up (only two vehicles noticed).

Herewood Hall (CCC building) is at the end of All Saints Close and has a large car park

with no evident enforcement restrictions. On the day of the site visits, only one

parent was observed parking in there to pick up children from school.

3.6.10. Overall, the majority of children and parents appear to walk home. Only five cars

picking up children from the main school entrance in All Saints Close were witnessed.

No parking or congestion issues were observed from either entrance to the school.

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Recommendations

3.6.11. Examine the need for a controlled crossing facility on County Road, close to junction

with All Saints Close.

3.6.12. Repair the Belisha beacons at zebra crossing in All Saints Close.

3.6.13. Turn around the incorrectly facing ‘Give Way’ sign at exit of All Saints Close at

junction with County Road.

3.7. Cost Estimates for Implementing Key Recommendations

3.7.1. Table 3.2 summarises the high level cost estimates for implementing the key safe

routes to school recommendations.

Table 3.2: High Level Cost Estimates for Safe Routes to School Recommendations

Key Recommendation Cost Estimate

£

Recommendations applying to all five schools in March are:

Introduce 20mph speed limits around all five schools (during term time drop off / pick up) with interactive warning signage (as in place around Westwood Primary). Cost estimate requires further site analysis to confirm size of 20 mph zone and roads to include.

TBC

Relining of no parking restrictions road markings outside each school. 5,000

Neale Wade Academy Specific Recommendations

Examine the need for a controlled pedestrian crossing facility across Cavalry Drive, by the back entrance to Neale-Wade Academy.

20,000

Support CCC proposal for installation of zebra crossing on St. Peter’s Road (B1099) at junction with Eastwood Avenue / Elwyn Road. Already costed in Chapter 2 proposals.

-

Total Cost for Neale Wade Academy 20,000

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Burrowmoor Primary Specific Recommendation

Produce school travel plan. (School Travel Champion +CCC School Travel Advisor) No external cost-

Investigate options for installing a pedestrian crossing facility on Burrowmoor Road within proximity to the school.

25,000

Total Cost for Burrowmoor Primary 25,000

Cavalry Primary Specific Recommendations

Produce school travel plan.(School Travel Plan Champions + CCC No external cost

Install dropped kerbs and tactile paving across all side road junctions with Cavalry Drive, close to the school.

8,000

Total Cost for Cavalry Primary 8,000

Westwood Primary Specific Recommendations

Enforce existing parking restrictions on Maple Road and Henson Road as parents parking illegally at pick up. Existing parking/highways enforcement requirement delivered by LA or Police highway/parking enforcement budget

-

Repair 20 mph speed limit warning signage on Maple Road and Henson Road. Three signs.

3,000

Refresh school travel plan (School Travel Champion +CCC School Travel Advisor) -

Total Cost for Westwood Primary 3,000

All Saints Inter Church Academy

Examine the need for a controlled crossing facilities on County Road, close to junction with All Saints Close

50,000

Repair the Belisha beacons on zebra crossing in All Saints Close 1,044

Turn around incorrectly facing ‘Give Way’ sign at exit of All Saints Close. 44

Total Cost for All Saints 51,088

Total Cost for Improvements at All Schools £112,088

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3.7.2. The high level cost estimate total for delivering all safe routes to school

recommendations for the five schools in March is £112,088, excluding VAT. This

figure excludes costs for installing 20 mph speed restriction measures around each

school, parking enforcement and school travel plan production costs.


Appendix K.

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4. Pedestrian and Cycling Signage Audit

4.1. Introduction

4.1.1. Signage audits have been undertaken to review the provision of pedestrian and

cycling signage on key routes through March. Several site visits were undertaken to

assess the current signage provision with key observations, recommendations and

photo evidence recorded. All key walking and cycling routes through March have

been surveyed for provision, quality, connectivity and positioning of signage. These

include the six key route corridors audited in Section 2 plus a number of additional

routes, as follows:

• Route 1 – Broad Street, Grays Lane and Nene Parade

• Route 2 – High Street, The Causeway and The Avenue

• Route 3 – Station Road

• Route 4 – Elwyn Road, St Peter’s Road and Eastwood Avenue

• Route 5 – Burrowmoor Road and Gaul Road

• Route 6 - Wisbech Road and Dartford Road

• Norwood Road

• Robingoodfellow’s Lane

• West End

• West End Park

• Route of NCN 63 within March

• Footpath from March Station to Robingoodfellow’s Lane

• Footpaths through the eastern residential areas of March

• Routes through to Cavalry Drive

• Public footpaths through March

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4.1.2. This chapter is structured as follows:

Key Observations

• Existing pedestrian signage

• Existing cycling signage

• Public footpaths/Rights of Way

• Information boards

• Summary of key signage issues

Recommendations

• Key signage recommendations

• Location maps

• Signage design examples

• Information boards

• High level cost estimates for implementation of key recommendations.

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4.1.3. The key recommendations and locations for signage improvements are summarised

in section 4.8. Appendix E provides further detail on the recommendations identified

for signage alternations and additions.

4.2. Key Observations

Existing Pedestrian Signage

4.2.1. There is currently a lack of consistent, quality pedestrian signage provision for key

route corridors and destinations across March. The pedestrian signage that does

exist is fragmented, inconsistent, often in poor condition and not always pointing in

the right direction, as illustrated in Figure 4.1, below.

Figure 4.1: Example of Poor Pedestrian Signage in March

4.2.2. Figure 4.2, below, shows the existing distribution of pedestrian signage in March,

represented by red dots.

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Figure 4.2: Location of Current Walking Signage in March

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4.2.3. The majority of the signage is clustered in the High Street section of the town centre,

as shown in Figure 4.3, or in West End Park, Figure 4.4.

Figure 4.3: High Street Pedestrian Signage

Figure 4.4: Shared Footway Signage in West End Park

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4.2.4. There is also an attempt to sign a route for pedestrians and cyclists between the

railway station and Neale-Wade Academy via residential streets through the eastern

part of March. An on-street example is shown in Figure 4.5.

Figure 4.5: Pedestrian and Cycling Signage

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4.3. Cycling Signage

4.3.1. There are two types of cycling signage in March, one for National Cycle Network

(NCN) 63, and the other for local cycling directions. Both types of cycling signage are

fragmented, inconsistent, poorly maintained and often pointing in the wrong

direction, as illustrated in Figure 4.6 and Figure 4.7, below.

Figure 4.6: Example of Inconsistent NCN 63 Signage

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Figure 4.7: Example of Poorly Maintained Local and Cycling Signage in March

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4.3.2. The distribution of NCN 63 and local cycle signage in March is illustrated in Figure

4.8, below. Local cycling signage is concentrated on two distinct routes in March.

One leading from West End Park via the High Street to Neale-Wade Academy. The

other being the pedestrian and cycling route between Station Road and Neale-Wade

Academy via residential streets through the eastern part of March. Both these

signposted routes have sections of shared footway although there is a reoccurring

issue with fragmented signage, which lacks continuity and is often pointing in the

wrong direction or not clearly visible.

Figure 4.8: Location of Existing Cycling Signage in March (Including Route of NCN 63)

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4.3.3. The majority of the NCN 63 signage is on the alignment of the route, as would be

expected, however there are several examples of NCN 63 signage stickers randomly

placed on street furniture including telephone boxes and bus stop flag posts in Broad

Street and Robingoodfellow’s Lane, as illustrated in Figure 4.9. These are misleading,

fragmented and are pointing away from where the NCN 63 route is in relation to the

location.

Figure 4.9: Misplaced NCN 63 Signage Stickers

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4.3.4. Figure 4.10 displays the route of NCN 63 through north west March with sections of

the route provided along traffic-free, shared use paths. It links to March train station

and south through West End Park and the High Street to Neale-Wade Academy,

using a combination of off-road shared use paths, quiet side streets and shared use

pavements. Sustrans have confirmed the NCN 63 route signage is managed by the

CCC (as the Highway Authority). Sustrans has confirmed responsibility for placing the

sticker signage for the NCN 63 route around March. This is resulting in a conflict of

routings, as they would prefer the alignment of NCN 63 to be re-routed through

March town centre, as the design principle of the NCN network is to link town

centres. Sustrans have identified alternative NCN route 63 alignments through

March, which are illustrated in Appendix J.

Figure 4.10: The Route of NCN 63 Through March

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4.4. Signage for March Train Station

4.4.1. With the exception of the signed route provided in eastern March, as illustrated

above in Figure 4.5, there is a lack of consistent pedestrian and cycling signage

provision between March Railway Station, the town centre, and all audited route

corridors across the town.

4.4.2. These observations are consistent with the findings of March Train Station Signage

Report, commissioned by CCC/ FDC in 2019, which can be found in Appendix F. The

findings contained within the March Station Signage Report have informed the

recommendations for this signage audit, detailed in section 4.8, below.

4.4.3. That report predominately focused on road signage for drivers to the station from

the A141, B1101 and B1099, and included only one pedestrian route into the station

from Robingoodfellow’s Lane. The report recommended that one additional

pedestrian sign for March station, illustrated in Figure 4.11 below, is installed at the

entrance of the path leading from Hostmoor Avenue, shown in Figure 4.12, using the

existing lamp column.

Figure 4.11: Proposed Pedestrian Signage for Route to March Train Station

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Figure 4.12: Identification of Required Location for Pedestrian Signage to March Station Off Hostmoor Avenue (Source: CCC / FDC)

119

4.5. Town Maps

4.5.1. March has two local area information display boards which show the locality of key

destinations, including local facilities, public transport and places of interest. The first

is located at the train station, supplied by Greater Anglia, and the second is located

at the southern end of Broad Street adjacent to the communal seating area and the

bridge, and is supplied by FDC. Figure 4.13 illustrates the location of the two existing

information boards.

Figure 4.13: Main Information Boards, March Train Station (North) and Broad Street, Adjacent to Town Bridge Seating Area

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4.5.2. Figure 4.14, below, shows both display maps are dated, and the Broad Street map

which covers the local Fenland area and not specific local information for March, is

particularly faded and in a state of neglect, evidently having not been replaced for

many years.

Figure 4.14: Main Information Boards, at March Train Station (Left Photo) and Broad Street (Right Photo)

4.5.3. Both information boards provide an opportunity to be replaced with updated local

information maps to assist visitors and local residents with wayfinding to

destinations around March.

4.6. Footpaths and Public Rights of Way

4.6.1. There are three signposted footpaths which navigate through March, as illustrated

below in Figure 4.15. These paths are called:

• The Greenwich Meridian Trail. A long distance route running north from Greenwich

through March High Street and along the River Nene through West End Park. Small

marker signs mark the route.

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• Woodman’s Way. A circular walk of 6.5 miles connecting March and Wimblington.

Green metal signs are located around the route to guide people through March.

• Hereward Way. A long distance footpath running from Oakham in Rutland to Thetford

in Norfolk. The route runs west to east through March hugging the course of the river.

Small marker signs mark the route.

Figure 4.15: Routes for the Woodman’s Way, Hereward Way and The Greenwich Meridian Trail

122

4.6.2. Further detail regarding the signage provision for the three walking routes is

provided in Appendix G.

4.6.3. Figure 4.16 shows the location of existing signage for public footpaths across March.

The improvements references in Figure 4.16 refer to the referenced signage

recommendations provided in Appendix E.

Figure 4.16: Public Footpath Signage with Improvement References

4.7. Signage Issues

4.7.1. A summary of the key issues identified in regard to pedestrian and cycling signage

throughout March is as follows:

• Fragmented and inconsistent signage provision for the route of the NCN 63 and its

links to the train station, town centre and Neale-Wade Academy. This is especially

emphasised by the inaccurate routing of NCN 63 signage stickers in Broad Street and

Robingoodfellow’s Lane. All NCN 63 signage issues require discussion with Sustrans.

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• The shared pedestrian and cycling signage for the route between Station Road and the

Neale-Wade Academy is fragmented, poorly linked and positioned, with some signs

pointing in the wrong direction. The continuity and maintenance of signage on

linkages to Neale-Wade Academy deteriorates south of St. Peter’s Road, on Eastwood

Avenue and through the March Sconce.

• There is a lack of signage for key destinations, especially routes to and from the railway

station and town centre amenities. Station signage for local bus service information

and the closest bus stops to serve the town centre from the station, are also non-

existent, as is the southbound bus stop on Station Road, which appears on maps but

not in reality.

• All existing signage lacks information regarding distance and average time to

destinations.

• Existing pedestrian signage in the town centre is inconsistent, poorly maintained and

out of date. This is illustrated in Figure 4.17, with tired signage and out of date

information regarding the location of the Citizens Advice Bureau, which has since

closed its March office.

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Figure 4.17: Poorly Maintained and Inaccurate Pedestrian Signage in March Town Centre

4.8. Signage Recommendations

4.8.1. A summary of the key signage improvement recommendations are as follows:

• Provide average walking and cycling travel time (in minutes) and distance (in km) on

signage to all destinations. Signage design examples are illustrated in Figure 4.18,

below, and in Appendix G. March is a relatively small town which can be walked across

in less than 30 minutes for an able-bodied person.

Figure 4.18: Signage Design Proposal with Journey Time and Distance

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• Providing journey time and distance to destination signage across March will raise

awareness of the proximity and short walking and cycling journey times to many

locations in March. This awareness will encourage more residents and visitors to walk

or cycle for local journeys around town rather than use a vehicle, providing benefits

to health, air quality and reducing traffic congestion.

• Provide consistent and linked signage for shared pedestrian and cycle routes to key

destinations, including routes between:

o The railway station, the town centre and Neale-Wade Academy

o NCN 63 and the railway station, town centre and Neale-Wade Academy

o Access to West End Park, the Library, Sports Centre, toilets and cycle parking

4.8.2. Appendix I provides location reference details for all key destinations in March which

should be considered for improved signage and wayfinding provision, in particular:

• Liaise with Sustrans with regards to improvements to signage for NCN 63, including

the removal of inconsistent and inaccurate sticker signage in Broad Street and

Robingoodfellow’s Lane.

• Provide adequate signage for bus services from the railway station to the town centre

and provide a bus stop. This will improve the integration of rail and bus services and

access to the town centre.

• Remove and replace out of date and damaged destination signage in the town centre

by the River Nene Bridge, as shown in Figure 4.17, above, and in the High Street,

adjacent to Iceland supermarket.

• Ensure all existing signage is correctly located, in clean legible condition, and facing

the correct direction.

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• Replace the tired and outdated local information map display board in Broad Street

and liaise with Network Rail and the rail operator regarding March Railway Station

information map. New local map information boards can provide the following

information:

o Local amenities and places of interest

o Public transport (bus stops and train station), cycle parking and taxi ranks

o Public toilets, parks, and playgrounds

o Walking and cycling times

4.8.3. Appendix G gives brief examples of what both the Broad Street and railway station

boards could look like. This proposal represents an opportunity to incorporate

historic places of interest, as detailed in the March Mini Guide.5

• Introduce a network of pedestrian and cycling monoliths in key footfall areas in March.

Monoliths are signs that are a combination of wayfinding signage and information

boards. An example is illustrated in Figure 4.19, below. Further details of the

Monoliths recommendation, including possible installation locations for up to seven

monoliths in March are provided in Appendix H.

5 https://www.visitcambridgeshirefens.org/documents/walks/March_Mini_Guide.pdf

https://www.visitcambridgeshirefens.org/documents/walks/March_Mini_Guide.pdf

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Figure 4.19: Examples of Pedestrian Monoliths (Source Design JD/FitxpatrichWoolmer)

4.9. Signage Recommendation Location Maps

4.9.1. Descriptions of each referenced signage recommendation are provided in tabulated

form, with a corresponding map location reference, in Appendix E. Each map is

illustrated by a red dot and recommendation reference.

4.9.2. A summary of signage recommendation mapping and reference descriptions for

each area of March is provided below in Figure 4.20 to Figure 4.24.

4.9.3. Figure 4.20, overleaf, summarises signage improvement recommendations for the

north of March.

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Figure 4.20: Signage Improvements North March

129

4.9.4. Figure 4.21 summarises signage improvement recommendations for the vicinity of March train station.

Figure 4.21: Signage Improvements March Railway Station

130

4.9.5. Figure 4.22 summarises signage improvement recommendations for the central March area.

Figure 4.22: Signage Improvements Central March

131

4.9.6. Figure 4.23 summarises signage improvement recommendations for the southern March area.

Figure 4.23: Signage Improvements Southern March

132

4.9.7. Figure 4.24 summarises cycling signage improvement recommendations across March.

Figure 4.24: Location of Existing Cycling Signage in March with Recommendations ID (Including Route of NCN 63)

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4.10. Summary of Signage Audit Recommendations and Implementation Costs

4.10.1. The key recommendations from the pedestrian and cycling audit of March and a high

level cost estimate for implementation are summarised in Table 4.1 as follows:

Table 4.1: Summary of Key Recommendations for Each Audited Corridor

Signage Audit Recommendation Cost Estimate

£

Provide destination signage showing average walking / cycling journey time (in minutes) and distance (in km) for all destination signage.

42,275

Provide consistent and linked signage for shared use pedestrian and cycling routes to key destinations, including routes between the railway station, the town centre, Neale Wade Academy.

12,000

Remove and replace out of date and damaged destination signage. 10,050

Maintain existing signage – keep clean and in repositioned correctly position.

1,800

Provision of NCN 63 signage. 3360

Remove inaccurate NCN 63 signage (£60 per sign) and sticker signage (£15 per sticker).

900

Replace tired and outdated local information map display board in Broad Street and provide new one at March Railway Station.

4,000


4.10.2. The high level cost estimate for delivering the signage recommendations

summarised in Table 4.1 is £74,385, excluding VAT.


Appendix K.

4.10.4. Following approval of the type of signage designs required, based on the design

examples provided in Appendix G, a more detail costed signage schedule for

replacing existing signage and providing additional signage locations can be

progressed, based on the recommendations detailed in Section 4.9 and Appendix E.

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Appendices

Appendix A: Broad Street / Dartford Road (B1099) and Station Road (B1011) / Creek Road Junction Improvement Proposals

Station Road Creek Road – Mini Roundabout Option

135

Broad Street / Dartford Road Roundabout and Public Realm Proposal

136

Appendix B: Design Proposals for High Street (B1101), St. Peter’s Road Junction

High Street / St Peter’s Road Junction Design Proposal for Signal Improvements

137

Appendix C: St. Peter’s Road Zebra Crossing Design Proposal

138

139

Appendix D: Neale-Wade Academy Travel Plan

140

141

142

143

144

Appendix E: Sign Improvement Recommendations

The reference ID (left hand column in table below) for each signage improvement

recommendation refers to the references shown on the maps below in Figures A to D.

ID Signage Observations/ Improvement Recommendation

1A No information linking to the buses north of the level crossing.

1B Tourist posters present but out dated. Clear and modern signage front of station for train station

facilities.

1C Need for March information board map with walking and cycling times to various places

throughout March, should could include local amenities. Cycling route NCN 63 well signed from

station through park to the west. Some of the signage needs to be replaced and upkeep, looking

dated.

With two clear routes to the town centre it would be good to have a sign that directs people in

both directions. Sign could have the following – Left to Town Centre <Road> (15 minutes 1,2km) -

Right to Town Centre (20 minutes 1,6km) <Scenic>.

1D Pedestrian signs towards entrance of station very poor. No signage telling people distance or time

to key areas in March e.g. Broad Street. Sign outside hotel on walking/cycling path to Willowherb

Close directing people to Neale-Wade Academy needs cleaning and repositioning with km and time

for cycling and walking. Note – Boards with information outside station supplied by Great Anglia

look outdated.

1E Bus timetable suggest that bus number 56 doesn’t stop at the bus stop north of the station but

both 35 and 56 seen dwelling there.

1F Satisfactory signage on the cut through onto Willowherb Close splitting both cyclists and

pedestrians – sign needs straightening

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1G Ice warning sign at the entrance to the train station. Does it work? Maybe could do with

repositioning so that it can be seen easier.

2A Signpost to station on Dartford Road needs turning around.

2B Signage to the station needed up Princes Walk, lamppost next to accountant offices could be used

for this.

2C Cycle Route 63 sticker needs to be replaced as dated. This may need to be repositioned.

2D Shortcut through Gordon Avenue signage needed.

2E Sign needed to centre on lamppost e.g. Broad Street 2 minute walk.

2F Signs needed at junction with Norwood Road to town centre and station to the north.

2G Signage needs cleaning up and repositioning.

2H Need for cycle route 63 signage on Robingoodfellows Lane junction with Norwood Road to the

station.

2I Distance and time need to be added to these signs.

3A Signage needed to the Tesco from Norwood Road.

3B 63 signage needs to be straightened up.

3C 63 sign positioning needs to be changed down snicket.

3D Sign not encouraging cycling (See photo).

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3E 63 signs needed to avoid confusion.

3F 63 sign needs adding to signpost, post already there.

3G 63 sign needs adding to signpost not clear.

3H 63 sign needs repositioning

4A 63 sign needs repositioning

4B 63 sign needs repositioning, would be covered by the bush in the winter.

4C Better signage for 63 towards west end park and down the river to replace stickers on lamppost.

4D Sign directing to west and park and route 63.

4E West End Park and town centre sign needed at this location.

4F On the phone box and bus stops signs needed to key areas.

4G Post outside Barclays near Grays Lane signage for West End Park and 63 cycle way needed.

4H Cycle route signs both directions needed.

5B 63 sign needed on corner of park. Town Centre, Library need adding.

5C West End Park sign needed.

5D Signage needs to be added here to the station.

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5E Reminder sign for the above for 5C

6A/B Sign pointing to train station with distance and time.

Could be fixed on CCTV pole. Fast route and Slow route which spoken about above.

6C Signs needed near bus stops on eastern side of road passageway with Superdrug.

6D Signage needs improving as some are crossed out and in disrepair to the park, library, leisure centre

and new skate park.

6E Hereward Way signage – signs need to point both directions.

6G Citizens Advice signage out of date. Needs removing.

6F Dirty banners need taking down and replacing.

6H Train Station signage needed here.

6I A new map of March showing key destinations to replace faded notice board map. This could

incorporate the March Mini Guide and town trails. See website in text.

6J Sign here needs to be replaced similar to that at 7A, with linking distances and timings.

7A Main sign near Iceland needs rethinking, time and distance need adding. Sign looks very outdated.

What is the locality team?

Town Park needs changing to West End Park. Church, Leisure Centre/Library could be included..

Neale-Wade needs adding. Skate Park. Station. Museum

7B Minstrel Path – signage to Elwyn Road and east of March needed

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7C More signage needed both east and west to local amenities. Double sided signs can be added to

existing signs instead of new poles being added.

7D West Ends Park signage needed for pedestrians. There currently is a lot of cycling signage but not

walking signage in this area.

7E End of shared route needs to be clarified, why isn’t the signage for this closer?

7F Signage needs turning around.

7G Signs to town centre and Neale-Wade need times adding to signage near Gas Road northbound

and southbound.

7H HGV signage in March is turned around and not facing the correct way at these locations.

7I Cycling and pedestrian signage to West End Park needs adding at this point.

8A Reminder signage for Neale-Wade and Broad Street.

8C At Neale-Wade signage needed for both cycles and walking with time and distance needed to the

north.

8D Sign to Church needed carrying on from the signs further up The Avenue and The Causeway.

Northbound add sign to town centre with distance and time on.

8E Field Baulk public footpath, make reference to where it goes in both directions.

8F Signage to March Sconce with distance and time to Broad Street needed. Use existing shared use

pole, could be moved so can be seen from Cavalry Drive.

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8G ‘Station’ signage north of Sconce needs turning around, subject to vandalism. Mirror here could

help safety problems. Add signage for Neale-Wade /Sconce, could use redundant pole for signage.

8H Southbound signage for March Sconce on bottom of Eastwood Avenue needed.

8I Sign for Neale-Wade CC southbound, needs to be added as it has gone missing.

8J Sign from Cavalry Drive to The Avenue needed.

8K Sign from Fleetwood Close to The Avenue and the town centre.

8L Open up old path located south off Kingfisher Close.

9A Signage need in all directions with junction of St Peter Road, Eastwood Avenue and Elwyn Road

outside shop needed.

9B Northbound town centre signs needed, signs need washing with distance and time with short and

long routes options mentioned above.

9C Minstrel path sign needed to The Highway.

9D Signage to town centre and station needed.

9E Signage to Market Place, West End Park needed.

9F Linking signage to the above

9G Times and distance needed.

9H Signage need to be repositioned.

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10A Pedestrian cut through from Suffolk Way to Eastwood Avenue and March Sconce needs signage to

town centre and Neale-Wade. All these signs need to link up with distance and time.

10B Sign pointing wrong direction. Needs to be turned around.

10C Reminder signs.

10D Signage to town centre.

10E Town centre sign needed at this point.

10F Green public footpath sign needed.

10G Sign to the station needed.

10H Public footpath should be repositioned over the bridge.

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Appendix F: March Station Signage Review – CCC Report

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Appendix G: Pedestrian / Cycling Signage Design Proposals

The signage audit identified that more needed to be done to make pedestrians and cyclists

more aware of how long and how far the amenities in March are. Below in Figures A and B

are two sets of examples of proposed signage which could be installed throughout March.

Figure A directly beneath only shows time and Figure B shows time and distance.

Example of proposed signage with only time

Example of proposed signage with both time and distance.

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Appendix H: Pedestrian / Cyclist Monoliths Location Proposals for March

Figure A below shows the possible locations where seven pedestrian monoliths could be

positioned throughout March. Their positioning is based on factors including the key walking

and cycling routes and high footfall areas. The seven locations proposed for the monolith

signs are: Station Approach, Market Place, junction with City Road, Burrowmoor and High

Street, southern entrance to West End Park, Outside Neale-Wade Academy and at the

junction with Wisbech Road / Norwood Road.

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Appendix I: Location of Key Destinations in March

Figures A, B and C, below, highlight key destinations for signage routing in March.

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Appendix J: Sustrans Preferred NCN 63 Route Alignment Through March Town Centre

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Appendix K: Pricing Schedule for Proposal Cost Estimates

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Skanska UK www.skanska.co.uk

Maple Cross House Denham Way Maple Cross Rickmansworth Hertfordshire WD3 9SW Tel: +44 (0)1923 776666 [email protected]

http://www.skanska.co.uk/

Documents

March Area Transport Study: Stage 1 - Cambridgeshire · 2020-05-14 · Route 1 – Broad Street, Grays Lane, ... Figure 1.1: March Area Transport Study Components .....9 Figure 2.1: